Thompson normally seems to use the franchise tag just to get more time to talk out a longer deal... and the guys he has tagged (DT Corey Williams in 2008 and DE Ryan Pickett in 2010) aren't really franchise players but above average players that he wanted to resign and not let get away.
With that in mind, I could see a couple of different paths in 2017
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If Perry or Datone light it up and have a break out year (like Corey Williams did) at OLB might want to lock up the young guys. Sitton, Lang or Bak as a veteran to keep around and get more time to talk (like they did with Pickett) To lock up Rb Eddie Lacy or TE Jared Cook as they play at positions with cheaper tags. [/list]
In 2018, I think they'll resign Shields and Haha before FA or let them test the waters.
But maybe Burnett or TE Rodgers will get tagged for more time to work out a long term deal.