This Friday, July 15, marks the final day that the NFLs franchise players are allowed to sign a multiple-year contract extension. If the two sides fail to make a deal by 4 p.m. ET, that player will only be able to sign a one-year contract for the season.With millions of dollars at stake, well preview the decisions that both sides are facing with the deadline approaching.MORE: AFC division predictions | NFC division predictionsVon Miller, BroncosMiller is generally regarded as one of the best defensive players in the NFL and is looking to become the highest-paid defensive player. The TJ Ward Jersey two sides have already agreed on an overall figure for Miller which would allow him to reach that goal, but the payouts and guarantees remain a matter of debate. It is likely that the recent signing of Fletcher Cox by the Eagles to a very advantageous vesting schedule for future guarantees provides the two sides with an easy point of compromise. Denver did something similar last year with Demaryius Thomas, who was also a franchise player. Miller, who has had some injuries and off-field considerations, gains little by not signing because of a paper guarantee, so it would be surprising if the two sides do not come to an agreement by Friday. Expect a deal in the ballpark of 6 years for $115 million with over $60 million in injury protection.Alshon Jeffery, BearsJeffery is basically everything a team looks for in a receiver. He is 64, 230 pounds, and basically demands the ball whenever he is on the field. With Brandon Marshall traded to the Jets, Jeffery left little doubt that he can be a game-changing number 1 as he produced a huge percentage of the Bears team yards when healthy. The team had no other option to really consider, yet he was still on pace for a season that would produce close to 1,500 yards, even as the focus of every defensive game plan. A player of Jefferys skill level has an outside chance at becoming the highest-paid receiver in the NFL, especially in light of the recent extensions signed by Allen Hurns and Keenan Allen. I cant see the Bears making that kind of commitment and may view him closer to the $11 to $13 million range. Jeffery is young enough to where he can play this year out and hit free agency in 2017 and break the bank. Id be surprised if a long-term contract is reached unle s the Bears are willing to make him the highest-paid receiver.MORE: Broncos alter offer to Miller | Watch: Lynch flattens kid at campMuhammad Wilkerson, JetsThe Jets have mishandled the Wilkerson contract at every turn. The two sides began negotiating a few years ago and never came close to an agreement. Trevor Siemian Jersey The magic number when negotiations began was around $14 million a season to match the Robert Quinn contract signed by the Rams, but the Jets have drug their feet for so long that the price now stands to be over $17 million a year after the Olivier Vernon contract signed by the Giants. Wilkerson is very productive and one of the few all-around defensive linemen in the league. Given the likely disparity in valuation between both sides, there may be more similarity between this situation and the one with Josh Norman and the Panthers. The exception is that the Jets have been unable to come to terms with using the same exit strategy, which would probably be best for both sides at this point. After years of going sideways in negotiations, it would be shocking if the Jets made an offer at the last minute that he would accept. It would be more plausible to see him traded for a second-round pick and then sign a big contract with another team than re-signing with the Jets. Whatever Menelik Watson Jersey happens, expect the Jets organization to look bad throughout the proce s.Kirk Cousins, RedskinsOnce Brock Osweiler signed for $18 million a season with $37 million guaranteed at signing, I think both sides here were resigned to the fact that Cousins will play the year on the franchise tag. Cousins not only played better than Osweiler, but has been regarded as the better player. He should be looking to sign for somewhere around $20.5 million a year with $40 million guaranteed at signing. The Redskins cant justify making that kind of commitment to a player who could be a one-season wonder. Neither side really risks much by playing on the tag. If Cousins plays well hell still get a ma sive contract, probably over $21 million a season, in 2017. If he plays average, he will still stand to earn Osweiler money. If he plays poorly, he still may come out ahead overall by signing the one-year tender for $20 million rather than accepting a mid-tier $16 million a year offer.MORE: Ranking NFL backup quarterbacksEric Berry, ChiefsOf Shannon Sharpe Jersey all the franchise players, Berry is the most surprising to still be sitting on the sidelines. While there are some considerations related to non-football illne s po sibilities which do not exist elsewhere, once Harrison Smith signed for over $10 million a season it seemed pretty straightforward that Berry would sign for slightly more, yet he hasnt. Neither side gains here by Berry playing on the tag. If Berry plays on the tag he will hit free agency in 2017 with teams knowing he will turn 29 at the end of the season, which generally doesnt bode well for signing a top-market contract. The Chiefs would have to juggle the cap numbers of other players if Berry plays on the tag as they are right up against the salary-cap limit. Expect Berry to sign a five-year contract worth around $52.5 million with $18 million fully guaranteed at signing.Trumaine Johnson, RamsThis was one of the surprising uses of the franchise tag. Generally you franchise tag a player whose annual contract value will be similar to that of the tag and Johnson is nowhere near a $14 million a year player. This is one of the reasons Johnson was very quick to sign his tender for fear that the team could rescind it. For the Rams to do a deal now would require them to overpay what the true market value is for Johnson and that would not make sense. They will re-open negotiations after the season is complete and they get a better feel for Johnsons ultimate value.
