Experts predict contract figures for Giants QB Daniel Jones

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is going to get paid in one way or another later this year. 

Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reached out to six experts said to be "current or former high-ranking league executives with contract experience, and NFL agents" regarding the second deal of Jones' pro career. Together, they estimated the 25-year-old could receive an average annual salary "between $29.5 million" and "$40 million" based on contracts for signal-callers such as Ryan Tannehill of the Tennessee Titans, Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings, and Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys. 

"One executive projected the right compromise as a four-year deal averaging $30 million to $35 million — so $120 million to $140 million total, including $80 million to $90 million guaranteed," Dunleavy wrote. 

Meanwhile, an agent told Dunleavy that Jones' camp should start at $35 million per year because that figure is roughly an average of what the franchise tags would cost the Giants to keep the first-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft for the next two campaigns. 

First-year Giants general manager Joe Schoen declined the fifth-year option attached to Jones' rookie contract last spring, and New York's starter then produced a breakout season playing under first-year head coach Brian Daboll. 

According to ESPN, Jones finished the regular season tied for sixth among eligible quarterbacks with a 60.8 total QBR, and he contributed 15 touchdown passes and seven rushing scores with just five interceptions across 16 games. He was 15th with 3,205 passing yards and fifth among quarterbacks with 708 rushing yards. 

Perhaps most importantly, Jones guided the Giants to a 9-7-1 record, a playoff berth, and a postseason victory over Cousins and the Vikings. 

"Kirk signed a one-year extension for $35 million, and I would say, 'I just beat this guy. I need to be above that,'" former agent and current CBS Sports contracts expert Joel Corry said of Jones. One executive added that Jones is "worth more to the Giants than anybody else, so they are probably going to pay more than they want to." 

Schoen made it clear in this past Monday's end-of-season news conference that keeping Jones is a top priority this offseason. The Giants have until March 7 to use the franchise tag to retain Jones' rights, if necessary, but they may instead utilize that asset to hold onto star running back Saquon Barkley before he hits free agency when the new league year opens later that month.