Prince Amukamara Wants $10 Million Per Year? Welp, See Ya Later!
By Neal Lynch
According to multiple sources, New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara is expected to hit the open market, test free agency, and ask for $10 million per year.
CB Prince Amukamara is expected to hit the open market. Looking for $10M annually.
— Daniel Phillips (@danielflips) February 13, 2016
Jordan Raanan of NJ.com puts the chances of re-signing Prince at 40 percent, stating:
"“The Giants haven’t approached Amukamara about a new deal (it doesn’t mean they definitely won’t, there is still time) and it seems inevitable he’s going to be allowed to test the free-agent market. Anything can happen at that point. Remember, the Giants aren’t the only team flush with available cash and in need of a cornerback. The top two teams in cap space, Jacksonville and Oakland, would both be fits. They are desperate for secondary help. And solid starters at cornerback don’t come cheap… Cornerback may not be a position the Giants are looking to make such a heavy investment with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie already under contract and so many other needs.”"
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Yes, there are other positions that are higher priority than cornerback for the Giants – safety, pass rusher, middle linebacker – but it would be extremely foolish for the team to just insert a draft pick or mid-tier free agent there.
Today’s Pigskin believes the Giants might make Prince an offer similar to what they gave DRC in 2014 – five years, $35 million. The problem is Prince made around that annual level in 2015, coming in at $6,898,000. While many would agree that DRC is earning his keep, you’d be hard pressed to find fans that think Prince is earning that $7 million per year pay grade.
The Giants first round draft pick in 2011 has only started one full season in his five year career (that came in 2013 when he had an “Approximate Value” of 4), totaling 45 starts out of a possible 80 games. Over that span, Prince has seven interceptions, but he does have double digit passes defended over the past three campaigns. Pro Football Focus ranked him 32nd among corners. Sports Illustrated placed Prince at 32nd on their list of the top 40 free agents.
Meanwhile, DRC has only missed two games in two seasons while notching five interceptions (which could have very easily been seven had he held on to two pick sixes in 2015) and two forced fumbles. Plus, he made it to the Pro Bowl.
If numbers never lie, the Giants have no reason to offer Prince $10 million a year and could absolutely find a better option at that price point. Bleacher Report believes Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson is a hidden gem in free agency. Both Johnson and teammate Janoris Jenkins have been recommended as targets for the Giants to pursue, but if the team can only sign one, go with Jenkins.
Most likely, Prince will be able to land his asking price in a cornerback-starved market. Once his playing days are done, Amukamara has a bright future as a female starlet on a teen drama, as evidenced by this video of him and Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick re-enacting a scene from Pretty Little Liars on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon: