These players are paid no less than the average of the top five salaries at their position (hence the controversy between wide receiver and tight end for Graham). An exclusive franchise tag prevents players from negotiation with other teams, while a non-exclusive tag permits discussions with outside parties.
Conversion: a change in the form of a measurement, different units, without a change in the size or amount.
The usual or standard state or manner of something. This word has a somewhat more technical meaning in mathematics. Two formulas such as 9 + x and x + 9 are said to be equivalent because they mean the same thing, but the second one is in canonical form because it is written in the usual way, with the highest power of x first.