Ndamukong Suh leads pack of big-money free agents

The Season of Suh has begun.

With the Detroit Lions' decision Monday not to use the franchise tag on star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh because of a $26.9 million salary he would have been due, the NFL's free agency period that begins March 10 just got more interesting.

Suh is a rare defensive free agent gem, and he'll be rewarded somewhere – perhaps still in Detroit – with at least a $100 million contract.

He's not the only intriguing player who will hit the market with plenty of teams flush with cash to spend thanks to a record salary cap of $143.28 million, an increase of more than $10 million from last year.

Other untagged players expected to cash in on the open market include New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty, Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray and Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas.

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In New England, the defending Super Bowl champions once again are gambling by not tagging a star defensive back after not using their tag on cornerback Aqib Talib last year.

Unless the Patriots can find a way to ignite contract talks with McCourty before the negotiating window with other teams opens on March 7, there should be a bidding war for the best safety available. Adding to McCourty's value is that not only is there not another veteran of his caliber available, it's the weakest class of safeties entering the draft in recent memory. Last year's big-ticket free agent safety Jairus Byrd snagged a six-year, $54 million deal in New Orleans, which could help guide the market for McCourty.

Green Bay receiver Randall Cobb and Philadelphia receiver Jeremy Maclin join Murray and Thomas in headlining a strong group of skill position players at the top of the market.

The free agent pool is less attractive at pass rusher after the top two sack masters, Kansas City's Justin Houston and the New York Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul, each got tagged. The Carolina Panthers' Greg Hardy is equally talented but may remain radioactive in the aftermath of his domestic violence allegations and potential suspension from the NFL. That leaves the Buffalo Bills' Jerry Hughes, Washington Redskins' Brian Orakpo and Pittsburgh Steelers' Jason Worilds as the best options.

Now teams are preparing to spend. Two rebuilding teams with cash are the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars. Neither team needs a quarterback, which could make both teams a major player in the quest to land Suh.

The contending teams to watch include the Indianapolis Colts, who cleared out some salaries late last month, perhaps in order to upgrade at key positions like running back and pass rusher; as well as the Denver Broncos, whose general manager, John Elway, has a history of making the sexy signing in March. Elway should expect to have some more money to spend once he and Peyton Manning's agent can work out the details of a restructured contract.

Let the bidding begin.

Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones.