Jason Pierre-Paul’s value estimated at $15 million annually

If a panel of salary cap experts queried by ESPN is correct, New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul might not command quite as much money on the free agent market as previously thought. ESPN’s group of experts estimated that Pierre-Paul could receive a projected contract of four years and $59 million, with $21 million guaranteed. That works out to an average of $14.75 million annually.

That is far less than the five-year, $85 million contract with $52.5 million the Giants gave Olivier Vernon last year. The annual salary is roughly what former sports agent Joel Corry had previously told Big Blue View Pierre-Paul might command. Corry, though, had estimated a five-year, $75 million deal.

Spotrac’s Market Value Tool expects Pierre-Paul to receive a five-year, $73.3 million deal, which is $14.6 million annually.

The lack of a fifth year and the far lower guarantee would make it far more palatable for the Giants to sign the 28-year-old Pierre-Paul.

Of course, these are estimates. There is no telling what a pass rush-needy team looking to make a splash might actually do once free agency begins.