A look at how the Patriots may use the franchise tag.
The New England Patriots can make their first big move of the offseason Monday when the two-week window for handing out the franchise tag opens.
Recently, the Patriots have attempted to work out long-term extensions with the players they have used the franchise tag on, though were unsuccessful last year with wide receiver Wes Welker.
The wide receiver is once again a candidate to receive the franchise tag, along with offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer and cornerback Aqib Talib.
The case for Welker: No one has better chemistry with quarterback Tom Brady than Welker, which is saying something since few receivers have been able to earn Brady's respect on the field in recent years.
His value was proven early in the year when the Patriots' experiment to replace him with Julian Edelman failed and New England dropped a pair of games against Arizona and Baltimore.
The team could attempt to move Hernandez to slot or bring back Edelman, who began to settle in later in the year, to replace him, but it would be hard pressed to find someone as durable and dependable as Welker.
The case against Welker: Welker is eligible to earn $11.4 million under the terms of the tender and the team only has about $18 million in cap space, meaning that his addition would likely cost the team talent at another position. Furthermore, he's going to turn 32 next season and the Patriots typically like to get rid of players sooner rather than later.
The case for Vollmer: He's one of the better right tackles in the league and the Patriots have some talented, yet inexperienced players behind him.
The case against Vollmer: He's injury prone and Marcus Cannon could be viewed as a viable replacement. There also should be several other tackles available through free agency, so it may be hard to justify the $9.66 million he'd be paid under the tag.
The case for Talib: Despite what the numbers show, Talib was a valuable player for New England in the second half of the season and the Patriots may feel more comfortable having him play out the year on a one-year deal given his off-field issues.
The case against Talib: He may not be worth the high cost ($10.6 million) associated with the franchise tag.
And here's a snapshot of New England's recent history with the franchise tag:
2012: Welker – Played out the year on the tag and could be a candidate to receive it again this season.
2011: Guard Logan Mankins – Signed to a six-year, $51 million deal after one of the more contentious contract negotiations in recent memory.
2010: Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork— The defensive tackle let it be known that he was unhappy with the direction of contract negotiations when he told the media that it would be a slap in the face if he were tagged. The Patriots still went ahead with the move and signed Wilfork for five years and $40 million in March.
2009: Quarterback Matt Cassel – Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs along with Mike Vrabel for a second-round draft pick.
2007: Cornerback Asante Samuel – Samuel held out of training camp after being given the tag and bolted for Philadelphia the next season.
2005: Kicker Adam Vinatieri – Played out the year on the tag and signed with Indianapolis the next season. He was also tagged in 2002.
2003: Safety Tebucky Jones – Was traded to New Orleans for three draft picks in the third-, fourth- and seventh-round.