An undrafted free agent in 2009, Ellerbe is coming off his best season, one in which he recorded career highs of 92 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

A source said the Cleveland Browns are definitely prepared to try to sign Kruger. However, they will confront intense competition from the Indianapolis Colts, who will attempt to persuade Kruger to rejoin Chuck Pagano, the former Ravens defensive coordinator and current Colts head coach.

According to a source, the Colts have targeted Kruger as the replacement for Dwight Freeney, the franchise’s career sack leader who also hits the market next week. Kruger, a 2009 second-round pick, collected a career-high nine sacks this past season.

Freeney told ESPN he has not yet decided on a list of teams to visit.

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The deadline for teams to use the franchise tag is 4 p.m. ET on Monday.

The team’s decision means that left tackle Jake Long and receiver Brian Hartline will become unrestricted free agents on March 12 unless the Dolphins can agree to contracts with both players before then.

The 29-year-old Starks made the Pro Bowl as an alternate and is one of the anchors of Miami’s stout run defense. He was hard to move in the middle and showed enough athleticism to also register 4.5 sacks and an interception. Starks has 32.5 sacks and four interceptions in 140 career games.

Long, the Dolphins’ No. 1 overall pick in 2008, was placed on injured reserve in December because of a left triceps injury. Before that injury, the 27-year-old left tackle had missed only two games in five NFL seasons. He was chosen as a Pro Bowl starter each of the three years before 2012.

Long has become a less dominant blocker as his injuries accumulate. He was slowed by an ankle injury as a rookie and hurt his shoulder in 2010. In 2011 he battled back trouble, then missed the final game with a torn right biceps.

The 26-year-old Hartline posted career highs in receptions (74) and yards (1,083) as he provided a go-to target for first-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

He has 183 receptions, 2,753 yards and six touchdown catches in 60 career games.

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The Canadiens also received a third-round draft pick from the Stars.

Ryder originally was drafted by Montreal and played his first four NHL seasons with the Canadiens from 2003-04 through 2007-08.

Ryder carries a $3.5 million salary this season and is slated for unrestricted free agency in July.

Cole has two more years on his contract past this season at a $4.5 million cap hit.

“[Cole] gives us more size and strength to compete in the West,” Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk said. “The fact that he has this year plus two years remaining on his contract is a little security for us.”

Both players scored 35 goals last season, which established career highs for each player.

Cole has struggled this season with only three goals and three assists in 19 games. Ryder has six goals and five assists in 18 games this season.

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