The NFL franchise tag deadline arrives Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, and the roster picture heading into free agency is about to become materially clearer. Several of the high-profile situations that have dominated the past two weeks appear close to resolution, and the outcomes will define how the March 11 opening of the market shapes up.

Philadelphia is expected to tag A.J. Brown. The decision appeared inevitable by Sunday evening, when it became clear the two sides had not closed the gap on long-term extension talks. Brown would become a one-year player at the receiver franchise number, and the relationship between him and the organization will be tested by proximity and contract leverage simultaneously. The Eagles front office has maintained that it wants to sign Brown long-term; Brown's camp will be looking for evidence that the number reflects that intent. If extension talks stall into training camp, this situation becomes one of the louder offseason storylines in the league.

Dallas is expected to apply the tag to George Pickens. The Cowboys have been deliberate and quiet about their intentions — no public commentary from either side, which is either a good sign (both parties have agreed to negotiate privately) or a bad sign (both parties have agreed to avoid embarrassing each other while the disagreement continues). Dallas's cap situation is tight enough that signing him to a long-term deal at market value will require moving money around.

Green Bay is expected to tag center Josh Myers as anticipated. The Packers need interior line stability and Myers provides it. This one should be straightforward.

The broader dynamic to watch: the players who don't get tagged — including several veterans at linebacker and safety who have been mentioned as potential candidates — would become fully available on March 11. That could increase the quality of the free agent pool in ways that weren't obvious two weeks ago. Tuesday will answer those questions.