Falcons not expected to use franchise tag in 2015

The Falcons last used the franchise tag back in 2012 on cornerback Brent Grimes.

Under general manager Thomas Dimitroff, they also used the franchise tag on punter Michael Koenen back in 2009.

With the franchise tag, the player receives a one-year, guaranteed salary which will prevent them from becoming a free agent. The salary is determined by a five-year average salary cap percentage for each position.

The Falcons retain exclusive negotiating rights to all of their potential unrestricted free agent until March 7, when a three-day pre-signing negotiating period starts. Free agents can be signed at 4 p.m. on March 10, the start of the league’s new business year.

Here are the projected position-by- projection by numbers by CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason LaCanfora. They are from Oct. 2014, but are still pretty solid projections.

Here’s the list of the Falcons’ prospective unrestricted free agents

DB Javier Arenas

LB Kroy Biermann

K Matt Bryant

G-T Gabe Carimi

S Charles Godfrey

G Mike Johnson

S Dwight Lowery

DE Cliff Matthews

CB Robert McClain

TE Bear Pascoe

DT Corey Peters

RB Jacquizz Rodgers

OT Jonathan Scott

RB Antone Smith

DE Osi Umenyiora

LB Sean Weatherspoon

WR Eric Weems

CB Josh Wilson

QB T.J. Yates

YOU PICK THE ROSTER

THE STORY:  Should they stay or should they go

THE INTERACTIVE POLL:  Defense -- are you going to Keep 'im or Sack 'im?

THE INTERACTIVE POLL: Offense -- are you going to Keep 'im or Sack 'im?

THE LATEST ON THE FALCONS BEAT

Quinn's leadership traits were pegged early on

5 things we learned from Coach Quinn's press conference

COACHING STAFF: Quinn still has some holes on his coaching staff

MARK BRADLEY -- Quinn might win if his front office lets him

JEFF SCHULTZ -- Dan Quinn's ascent to head coach was years in the making

Dimitroff has no problem with restructured

Sam Baker battling back from injury

Sean Weatherspoon to be part of revival

VIDEO: Falcons, Quinn make it official

PHOTO GALLERY: Dan Quinn hired as 16th coach of the Atlanta Falcons