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NFL Free Agency: The top unrestricted free agents

By Carlos Nazario

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) prior to facing the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) prior to facing the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL Free Agency: Unrestricted free agent Jason Pierre-Paul
Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE
Age: 26
2014 Salary: $3.16 million

Pierre-Paul is a beast who, believe it or not, still has yet to hit his prime, even though he’s already played five seasons in the NFL.

Pierre-Paul has had trouble matching his career numbers with the obvious abilities he has. The New York Giants will need to decide if they agree that he has yet to hit his prime, and decide to re-sign him, or cut bait and let him go to free agency, where a lot of teams will take a long look at him.

  • Pierre-Paul was an All-Pro with 16.5 sacks in 2011, helping the Giants win the Super Bowl.
  • This season, he recorded 12.5 sacks, and was rated by Pro Football Focus (subscription required) as the seventh-best defensive end (in the 4-3 defense).
  • Not only is Pierre-Paul a tremendous pass rusher, he is excellent against the run as well. To go with the sacks this season, he also had 77 tackles and 3 forced fumbles.

Of course, injuries are a concern. In 2012 and 2013, JPP played in 27 games and collected just 8.5 sacks total as he dealt with back and shoulder issues.

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, JPP could command in excess of $12 million per year on the market. Would he give the Giants a hometown discount? Like Michael Bennett said after winning last year’s Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, “This isn’t Costco, this is real life.”

Next: Dez Bryant

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