NFL franchise tags 2019: Window opens but will Dolphins use it?

Photo by Mark Brown/Getty ImagesThe NFL calendar is progressing toward the start of free agency and the 2019 league year. Around the league, teams are deciding which of their soon-to-be free agents they are going to re-sign, and as of this afternoon, teams have another choice they can begin utilizing. At 4pm ET today, the league’s franchise and transition tag period officially opens.

Here is everything you need to know about the tags and a look at what the Miami Dolphins could do with it this year:

What are the franchise and transition tags?

There are actually three tiers of tags that can be used on a player with an expiring contract that can keep him on his current team. There is the…