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Top tacklers on the move?

Mosley, Collins could be free

The deadline for using the franchise tag is upon us, and it looks like two top defenders won't be tagged. The Ravens aren't planning to tag C.J. Mosley (pictured), and the Giants won't tag Landon Collins. They're among the best in the league at their positions, so it's a risky decision.

With Mosley, you're looking at one of the most consistently productive linebackers in the league. Over the last five seasons, he's one of only four players to record at least 100 tackles four or more times.

100-TACKLE LINEBACKERS, FOUR TIMES (2014-2018)
YearPlayer SoloAstTotal
2018Bobby Wagner, Sea.8454138
2016Bobby Wagner, Sea.8582167
2015Bobby Wagner, Sea.6747114
2014Bobby Wagner, Sea.6737104
2017Bobby Wagner, Sea. 9736133
2018C.J. Mosley, Balt.7035105
2017C.J. Mosley, Balt.9636132
2015C.J. Mosley, Balt.7740117
2014C.J. Mosley, Balt.8944133
2018Lavonte David, T.B.9425119
2017Lavonte David, T.B.7625101
2015Lavonte David, T.B.8562147
2014Lavonte David, T.B.10145146
2018Luke Kuechly, Car.9337130
2017Luke Kuechly, Car.7451125
2016Luke Kuechly, Car.7131102
2015Luke Kuechly, Car.7642118
2014Luke Kuechly, Car.9954153

My hunch is the Ravens will lock Mosley up with a multi-year deal before free agency opens. If he makes it to free agency, the Ravens will need to outbid possibly a couple of teams in their own division to keep him around.

With Collins, it's a little surprising the Giants aren't using the tag. Apparently they think the number is too high, and Collins has threatened to hold out if tagged. But if he leaves, the Giants will be losing one of their most productive defenders -- the most consistent defensive back in the league over the last five seasons. Collins has gone over 100 tackles three times in his four seasons, missing that total last year due to missing four games. But he's still gone over 95 in all four years. Number of other defensive backs to clear that total more than twice the last five years? Just one, Jonathan Cyprien.

95-TACKLE DEFENSIVE BACKS (2014-2018)
YearPlayerSoloAstTot
2018Antoine Bethea, Ariz.9921120
2016Antoine Bethea, S.F.9515110
2015Barry Church, Dall.7839117
2014Barry Church, Dall.772097
2018Budda Baker, Ariz.7824102
2014Charles Woodson, Oak.8330113
2015Corey Graham, Buff.9631127
2015Dashon Goldson, Wash.7139110
2014Dawan Landry, NYJ6740107
2018Derwin James, LAC7530105
2017Devin McCourty, N.E.801797
2014Donte Whitner, Clev.6937106
2014Earl Thomas, Sea.712697
2014Eric Weddle, S.D.9123114
2015Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, G.B.8317100
2017Jahleel Addae, LAC663096
2018Jamal Adams, NYJ8629115
2018Jessie Bates, Cin.7338111
2018John Johnson, LAR8237119
2016Johnathan Cyprien, Jac.9731128
2015Johnathan Cyprien, Jac.7830108
2014Johnathan Cyprien, Jac.8034114
2018Jordan Poyer, Buff.7327100
2017Jordan Poyer, Buff.633295
2018Justin Simmons, Den.712697
2017Keanu Neal, Atl.8333116
2016Keanu Neal, Atl.7234106
2014Kemal Ishmael, Atl.673097
2015Kenny Vaccaro, N.O.7133104
2016Kurt Coleman, Car.662995
2018Landon Collins, NYG672996
2017Landon Collins, NYG7826104
2016Landon Collins, NYG10025125
2015Landon Collins, NYG8428112
2018Malcolm Jenkins, Phil.791897
2015Malcolm Jenkins, Phil.9019109
2017Matthias Farley, Ind.603898
2015Michael Griffin, Tenn.6635101
2014Michael Griffin, Tenn.8527112
2014Morgan Burnett, G.B.9436130
2014Reggie Nelson, Cin.623395
2017Reshad Jones, Mia.9428122
2015Reshad Jones, Mia.10629135
2014Robert Blanton, Minn.7234106
2014Ryan Clark, Wash.6933102
2014Ryan Mundy, Chi.7528103
2018Shawn Williams, Cin.8129110
2014T.J. McDonald, St.L.8421105
2016Tony Jefferson, Ariz.781896

Both the Ravens and Giants are taking a gamble here (due to cap constraints, maybe they don't have a choice). But if they aren't able to bring these players back, some teams are going to get a really good defender in free agency.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index