Candidates for the Minnesota Vikings to use the 2017 franchise tag

The franchise tag is almost an act of desperation to hold on to a valuable player, but which players from the Minnesota Vikings are worthy of the tag?

Most teams like the Minnesota Vikings don’t like using the franchise tag. While there are situations where it can benefit a team, it usually signals a situation where a team and a player can’t get a deal done for a long-term contract.

Now, looking at the players who are scheduled to enter free agency for the 2017 NFL season, there are some players the Vikings are going to want to stick around. However, the high price tag that comes with a franchise tag for those players may keep the team from going that direction with these individuals.

Recently, NFL.com wrote a primer on each team’s franchise tag candidates and had this to say about the Minnesota Vikings not having a ‘realistic candidate’ for a tag:

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"“Two of their tackles, Matt Kalil and Andre Smith, are headed for free agency.”"

While that is true, it’s hard to imagine either one of those players getting a franchise tag. But there are some players who the Vikings may want to consider the tag for if they can’t reach a deal heading into 2017. Here are three of those individuals:

• Captain Munnerlyn – Set to get a nice payday in free agency, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Munnerlyn want to test his value in free agency. But with no player ready to step up in the nickel if he leaves, Minnesota may want to do whatever it takes to keep him.
• Cordarrelle Patterson – Denying the 5th year option on his rookie contract now looks like it may have been a mistake. Patterson is the best kickoff return specialist in the NFL, but his contributions to the offense returned when the play calling in Minnesota shifted.
• Adam Thielen – He’s a restricted free agent, but that doesn’t guarantee that a deal will get done. After a huge year as a wide receiver, Thielen would be of huge interest to just about any team in the NFL. This guy needs to be on the roster fur the 2017 season.

Next: Vikings release Fusco and Harris

What do you think? Are any of the options listed above realistic candidates for the Minnesota Vikings to use their franchise or transition tags on? And do you think the Vikings would actually use the tag for the 3rd time in team history during 2017? Let your thoughts be heard in the comments below.