INDIANAPOLIS -- The biggest surprise at the scouting combine Wednesday was the decision by the Bills to place the franchise tag on wide receiver Peerless Price.

The Bills made an offer to Price that he had until Tuesday to accept. When Price said that the Bills price wasn't right, team officials held a meeting and decided that they didn't want to lose Price even though the franchise tag will eat up $5.01 million of their cap.

The Bills need help on defense, and they still have room to make a big on a top linebacker. But keeping Price may prevent them from major moves in free agency to help their defense.

Price was disappointed by the Bills decision. He rejected a Bills offer Tuesday that would have paid him $3 million a year and included a $4.5 million signing bonus. His hope in the free agent market was to get a deal in excess of $5 million a year.

It's not out of the question that the Bills retained Price in order to get value in a trade. The problem might be getting a first-round choice. This is considered a good draft for tall receivers with speed.

The Seahawks placed the franchise tag on left tackle Walter Jones. The Ravens franchised cornerback Chris McAlister. The Vikings informed tight end Jim Kleinsasser that he will get the transition tag. The Rams had already franchised left tackle Orlando Pace and the Bengals placed the transition tag on linebacker Takeo Spikes.

Several teams are waiting to the last minute to make decisions on other top free agents. The NFL has a 4 p.m. deadline Thursday for franchise and transition tags. The Cardinals are going down to the wide to decide if they will franchise wide receiver David Boston. Three safeties -- Donovan Darius (Jacksonville), Dexter Jackson (Tampa Bay) and Tebucky Jones (New England) -- won't know until 4 p.m. Thursday whether they will be tagged.

The Eagles are leaning to not tagging defensive end Hugh Douglas. The Cowboys won't franchise or transition left tackle Flozell Adam. The Giants continue to negotiate with left tackle Luke Petitigout but they won't franchise or transition him.

The Packers still have to decide about defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday.

Return of the snake?
Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis isn't giving up thoughts that Jake Plummer might return at quarterback, but he won't know until Plummer hits the free agent market. He's talked to Plummer, but now the market will determine Plummer's fate. If the Broncos woo Plummer with money, the Cardinals will in the market for a veteran quarterback to challenge Josh McCown, who's had only 17 snaps as an NFL quarterback.

QB or not QB for the Bears
Bears general manager Jerry Angelo isn't big on taking quarterbacks in the top part of the first round. He said Wednesday that position "is probably overrated the most and I'm mindful of that." Angelo said believes that teams don't have to overpay for a quarterback to win. His goal will be to find a Rich Gannon-like leader at quarterback either through free agency or the draft.

Coles in line for raise
The Jets would like to get a deal done with restricted free agent receiver Laveranues Coles before the end of the month. They would give him a higher tender than the $619,000 that would net a third-round choice if he goes to another team. An upgraded tender that would raise his value to a first-round choice would up the price to $1.35 million. For a first- and third-round choice, the tender for Coles would be $1.801 million. The Jets exercised a $3 million option to keep defensive tackle Josh Evans. They don't plan to exercise a $3.5 million option on linebacker Sam Cowart unless he renegotiates. If the Jets execute Cowart's option, he would have a six-year, $31 million deal. They want him to make less than $5 million a year.

Eagles make Harris available
The Eagles continue to offer cornerback Al Harris, but they might not be getting a first- or second-round choice. The Eagles are loaded with experienced and talented young cornerbacks, making Harris available.

Lining up some defensive help
Angelo indicated the Bears won't be quick in tearing up the interior of their defensive line. They would like some salary cap concessions from veterans Ted Washington and Keith Traylor. While it is unlikely that they would cut Washington, Traylor could be targeted. Angelo would like to find a replacement for Traylor before releasing him.

More could extend his stay
The 49ers didn't give defensive coordinator Jim Mora a multi-year extension to stay, but that could be in the works. Mora is in the final year of his contract. He was a candidate for the head coaching job that went to Dennis Erickson. Mora could end up being among the top seven paid defensive coordinators if he gets an extension.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.