Many of the top players that are set to become free agents won’t hit the open market in the 2020 NFL offseason. The No.1 quarterback, defensive lineman and defensive back that are not signed for next season are all expected to be hit with the franchise tag.

It’s looking more and more likely that the Dallas Cowboys will use the tag on Dak Prescott. The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to franchise Chris Jones. The Denver Broncos won’t let Justin Simmons become a free agent.

Players that don’t have contracts will officially be able to sign with new teams on March 18. Every team has until March 12 to use the franchise tag on one player, giving them a guaranteed one-year contract that prevents them from signing elsewhere.

Prescott might not be the best quarterback that’s unsigned for 2020, but the combination of his age and talent would make him the most sought-after signal caller in football. The 26-year-old is 15 years younger than Drew Brees and 17 years Tom Brady’s junior. He led the NFL’s No.1 ranked offense in the 2019 season and finished second in passing yards.

The Cowboys hope to sign Prescott to a long-term contract. Using the franchise tag on the quarterback would give Dallas until July 15 to reach an agreement with the two-time Pro Bowler.

Cornerback Byron Jones and wide receiver Amari Cooper are also set to become free agents, but Prescott is probably going to be the Cowboy that gets tagged. Prescott might be looking for a multi-year contract that pays him around $35 million per season. He will make around $27 million in 2020 if he plays on the franchise tag.

Chris Jones is arguably the best overall player that doesn’t have a contract for the 2020 season. The 2019 Second-Team All-Pro selection has 24.5 sacks in 29 games over the last two years. Jones played a key role in Kansas City’s comeback during the Super Bowl.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs hope to sign Jones to a long-term contract. The tag could pay him a little more than $16 million next year.

Simmons would get paid a little below $13 million in 2020 for playing on the franchise tag. Broncos president John Elway has told reporters that Denver will use the tag on Simmons if the two sides can’t reach a deal.

Simmons might be one of the NFL’s most underrated players. He was a 2019 Second-Team All-Pro selection, recording four interceptions and 93 tackles. The 26-year-old had 97 tackles and three picks in 2018.

Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys hands the ball off to Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. Tom Pennington/Getty Images
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