Cornerback Janoris Jenkins told Josina Anderson of ESPN that it “feels good” to have a deal in place to join the Giants as a free agent on Wednesday, which might be an understatement after looking at the numbers in the deal.
According to multiple reports, the deal is a five-year pact with a total value of $62.5 million. That $12.5 million per year average is good for seventh-best among cornerbacks, but Jenkins ranks even higher when it comes to guaranteed money.
The deal reportedly includes $29 million in fully guaranteed money, which is more than any corner in the league other than Darrelle Revis. Jenkins shares more than just a home stadium with Revis as his new agents Neil Schwartz and Jon Feinsod also negotiated Revis’ return to the Jets last year.
Jenkins is coming off a very strong 2015 season, but his play hasn’t always been at the same level over the course of his four years in the NFL. Keeping things at that level would be made easier with a strong pass rush, which makes the Giants’ interest in defensive end Olivier Vernon (and their decision to re-sign Jason Pierre-Paul) hard to argue with even if it will add another pricey contract to the payroll.