NFL teams may designate franchise and transition players during a 15-day period starting Feb. 11 and lasting until 4 p.m. ET on Feb. 25. The salary level offered by the player's previous team determines what type of franchise or transition player he is. Clubs can designate one franchise player or one transition player in any given year. There are two types of franchise players, "exclusive" and "non-exclusive." Clubs can designate an **exclusive franchise player** by offering a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position at the end of the restricted free agent signing period, or a 20 percent increase over his 2008 salary, or the average of the top five salaries at his position at the end of last season == whichever of the three is greater. The offering club retains exclusive negotiating rights and other clubs cannot negotiate with exclusive franchise players. A **non-exclusive franchise player** is offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at his position in the 2008 season, or a 20 percent salary increase, whichever is greater. The offering club does not hold exclusive negotiating rights, and the player can negotiate with other clubs. The original club may match any offer to retain the player, or receive two first-round draft choices as compensation if it elects not to match. The signing period for non-exclusive franchise players is from Feb. 27 through July 15. Clubs have until July 15 to sign franchise players to a multi-year contract or extension. After this date the player may only sign a one-year tender for the next season. Clubs may designate a **transition player** by offering a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top 10 salaries of 2008 at the player's position, or a 20 percent salary increase, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match an offer sheet within seven days given to the player by another club. If the offering club does not match the offer sheet, it receives no compensation. Transition players can be signed from Feb. 27 to July 22. Below is a look at the top 10 cap figures for each position as provided by the NFLPA, along with their franchise and transition tag amounts:-->