Melvin Ingram expected to be franchise tagged?

With free agency starting up next week, we should begin receiving news about players who will be franchise tagged, essentially preventing them from hitting the open market. We already heard earlier today that Chandler Jones of the Cardinals was given the franchise tag, and that Eric Berry was also expected to be tagged. In addition to those two names, Adam Schefter mentioned several others expected to receive the franchise tag, including Melvin Ingram of the Chargers.

Ingram is definitely the name of interest on this list for Jaguars fans. Cousins and Bell were always expected to remain with their teams, the Jags don't need a defensive tackle (Short), and while they could use a corner, Johnson probably isn't as desired as guys like AJ Bouye and Stephon Gilmore. Ingram, however, could have been a prime target for the Jaguars. They will almost certainly add pass rushers this offseason, and they could really use a veteran guy at the position. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports had Ingram as his number one free agent available, and many Jaguars fans had chosen Ingram as a guy they’d like to see the team target.

If Schefter’s report becomes reality, the dream of adding Ingram to the Jaguars will quickly come to an end. The next prime target for defensive end would be Jason Pierre-Paul, assuming he doesn't re-sign with the Giants, and actually hits the open market.