The deadline for using the franchise tag has passed, and it's notable more for who wasn't tagged than who was. The Ravens and Raiders, whose offensive lines struggled in 2013, are at risk of letting those lines' best players leave via free agency.
The Raiders, short on talent and loaded with cap room, decided against using the tag on left tackle Jared Veldheer. Veldheer missed most of last season due to a triceps injury, but he is definitely a critical component of the team -- a 26-year-old at one of the NFL's premium positions who had started every game the previous two seasons. The Raiders have said they'd prefer to secure a long-term deal with Veldheer, but now they'll have competition for his services if they can't get him signed before the weekend.
Eugene Monroe, also the 26-year-old left tackle for the Ravens and probably their best offensive lineman a year ago, wasn't tagged either. Baltimore gave up 4th- and 5th-round picks in this year's draft to acquire Monroe from Jacksonville last October, so you'd think they want to retain him beyond just the one season. He, too, will draw considerable interest on the open market, if the Ravens can't lock him up before free agency opens.
Certainly, both teams' lines had problems a year ago. Baltimore had Monroe for most of the season but still ranked last in rushing yards per carry (3.1), and only three teams allowed more sacks (48). Oakland (if you toss out quarterback Terrelle Pryor's rushing production) was also a bottom-10 rushing team, and only nine teams allowed more sacks (though Veldheer only appeared in five games). Neither player will use their 2013 resume to land a big contract.
But on teams that need to rebuild their offensive lines, they weren't the main problem; they're not players those teams should be spending their resources to replace. And after failing to use the franchise tag to ensure they'd remain, that could be the reality.
Difficult to see either offense making a big turnaround in 2014 if they left those players depart.
--Andy Richardson