Bad News for Chicago Bears: Free Agent WR Dwayne Bowe Likely to Get Franchise Tag

I’ve been one of the people touting that the Bears get the big franchise tag and slap it on Matt Forte, saying it makes good business sense for the Bears.  Now for the downside of the franchise tag.  It could keep highly sought after wide receiver prospect Dwayne Bowe off the market.  Reports out of Kansas City indicate that the Chiefs may use some of their $38 million in cap space to franchise their top wide receiver:

"The Kansas City Chiefs plan to use the franchise tag on wide receiver Dwayne Bowe if the two sides cannot reach a new deal, according to a league source.The franchise tag number for wide receivers this year is $9.5 million.The 27-year-old Bowe had another good season despite a revolving door of quarterbacks in Kansas City last season, catching 81 passes for 1,159 yards and five touchdowns."

If this plays out, it takes one of the top prospects off the board, raising the price on the wide receivers who do hit the market.  It also benefits top wide receiver prospects like Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright and Alshon Jeffery, who could move up draft boards if the free agent market dries up more quickly that expected.