No NFL team took immediate action Monday when allowed to start naming franchise players for the 2013 season.

That day is coming, though.

If long-term contracts can’t be reached by March 4, the tag will be used to keep some of the top free agents from hitting the market. Doing so in most cases will secure the player a one-year base salary commensurate with the five highest-paid players at their respective positions. However, such an arrangement doesn’t offer the same job security and guaranteed salary that a multiyear contract brings.

From a team standpoint, having to use the franchise tag can prove crippling against a salary cap that will remain flat from 2012 at roughly $121 million. New Orleans experienced this problem last season when forced to place the designation on quarterback Drew Brees. The Saints lost Carl Nicks to Tampa Bay because they didn’t have the cap room needed to sign the All-Pro left guard to a contract extension or give him the franchise designation.

Unless tabbed with the “non-exclusive” tag, franchise players can still sign with other squads. But suitors are traditionally unwilling to tender two first-round draft picks for their services. The player’s current team also has the right to match the offer.

The “exclusive” tag provides the player with even higher salary compensation but also prevents him from signing with another team.

Here’s a look at eight players who should prepare to get franchised if a contract extension cannot be reached by March 4. —Alex Marvez

Franchise tag price: $9.7 million

Summary: Ongoing efforts to sign Clady to a long-term extension have proven so fruitless that Broncos executive John Elway said last week that he would be franchised. Such a proclamation also could be floated to see if Clady will reduce his price tag before the Broncos make the move official. Cleveland’s Joe Thomas is the NFL’s highest paid left tackle with an $11.5 million average and $44 million guaranteed as part of the eight-year contract he signed in August 2011.

Team impact: Minimal. Denver’s free-agent class consists primarily of journeymen.

Franchise tag price: Goldson would earn about $7.5 million because the 49ers used the franchise designation on him in 2012. The $7.5 million figure roughly constitutes a 120-percent raise from the $6.2 million salary Goldson collected last season.

Summary: Although the unit struggled in the postseason, the 28-year-old Goldson is still considered the top member of San Francisco’s secondary. “The Hawk” has started all but two games the past four seasons.

Team impact: If the 49ers can finally work out a long term deal with Goldson, versatile tight end Delanie Walker is the leading candidate for a $6 million franchise tag.

Franchise tag price: The Ravens would place the exclusive tag on Flacco. As first reported by NFL Network, Flacco would initially count $14.6 million against the cap until the restricted free-agent signing period ends April 19. Once average salaries at every position are recalculated, Flacco’s cap number would zoom to at least $20.5 million for 2013.

Summary: Unable to reach agreement on a long-term deal before the start of last season, Flacco’s price tag skyrocketed after guiding Baltimore to victory in Super Bowl XLVII and winning the game’s Most Valuable Player honors. Because he’s only 28 years old, it would be wise for the Ravens to offer the maximum eight-year contract allowed before the current Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire. Baltimore would have to guarantee a record amount of guaranteed money, but negotiating a longer pact would provide more manageable cap numbers in the future.

Team impact: The Ravens would find it much harder to keep priority free agents like linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, safety Ed Reed and left tackle Bryant McKinnie should Flacco chew up almost one-sixth of Baltimore’s cap space.

Franchise tag price: $11 million

Summary: Johnson is coming off his best season and forms an excellent tandem with Geno Atkins, who is the NFL’s best pass-rushing defensive tackle. Johnson’s 11.5 sacks in 2012 equaled production from his first three seasons combined. He also just turned 26 earlier this month.

Team impact: Even though the Bengals have a bevy of other defensive players set to become UFAs as well as right tackle Andre Smith, Cincinnati could place the franchise tag on Johnson and still have more than $40 million remaining.

Franchise tag price: $8.3 million

Summary: Drafted as a defensive end in 2009, Melton has flourished the past two seasons after moving inside. Melton notched his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2012 and is becoming equally adept as a pass-rusher and run-stuffer.

Team impact: The Chicago Tribune reported that one-third of the Bears’ 2013 salary cap would be dedicated to Melton and three other defensive players (end Julius Peppers, linebacker Lance Briggs and cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman) if the former is tagged. The Bears also must be cognizant that quarterback Jay Cutler’s contract expires after the 2013 campaign.

Franchise tag price: $6.8 million

Summary: Byrd is the top playmaker in Buffalo’s secondary. He forced four fumbles and intercepted five passes in 2012. The Bills also have left themselves thin at the position with the recent release of George Wilson, who started 29 games the past two seasons at strong safety.

Team impact: Andy Levitre, who is considered one of the NFL’s top young left guards, also is a pending free agent. Re-signing Levitre or Byrd to a long-term extension before March 4 would allow Buffalo to tag the other.

Franchise tag price: $6 million.

Summary: The Tennessean reported that Cook will likely get tagged even though he was underutilized in the Titans’ offense the past two seasons. Cook has never had more than 50 catches or 800 receiving yards during any of his first four NFL campaigns. But he’s only 25 years old and has the size (6-foot-5, 248 pounds) and speed to create coverage mismatches.

Team impact: The only other Titans player with the potential to get franchised is kicker Rob Bironas.

Franchise tag price: $10.6 million. That constitutes a 120 percent raise from the $8.8 million salary Spencer received in 2012 as a franchise player.

Summary: Coming off a career-best season highlighted by 11 sacks, Spencer is Dallas’ top free-agent priority. But the only way the Cowboys will have room to keep Spencer is if a contract extension can be reached with quarterback Tony Romo to lessen his cap hit. Dallas is currently $20 million over the cap and forced to deal with NFL-imposed penalties from violations committed in 2010.

Team impact: The Cowboys hope to shift Spencer from outside linebacker to defensive end in the 4-3 scheme being installed by new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. His departure would leave DeMarcus Ware as the lone established pass-rusher on the roster.