Michael Pierce – Free agency value:
In terms of his possible contract value, Pierce and his representatives may look to his fellow “FSU” brother Brandon Williams. Three years ago, when Williams was 27, he signed a five year, $52.5m contract with the Ravens with $24.5m guaranteed at signing.
After four seasons, the two players’ production is fairly similar, although Williams has a slight edge. Williams had 97 combined tackles to Pierce’s 90. Williams has 4.5 sacks to Pierce’s 3.5. While Pierce has recorded 13 tackles for loss, Williams has 17. But Williams still has two years of that contract left to run and it is doubtful that the Ravens will want to commit too much to an unglamorous spot on their roster. Although Williams could be a possible cut candidate in the weeks to come.
But it seems unlikely Pierce will actually get that type of contract given his production. It would take another team believing Pierce can be more of an interior pass-rushing asset than Baltimore has used him as. Even then, one look at Williams’ production at that cost should be enough to caution any franchise into buying too hard into the notion.
Barring Pierce getting attention from a team that runs a 4-3 defense and hopes he can become an interior pass rusher, the contract the Carolina Panthers gave to Dontari Poe (three years, $28 million) is the ceiling here with Corey Peters’ 2017 deal with the Arizona Cardinals (three years, $12 million) being far more likely.
Given his flashes, upside and run-stuffing ability, Pierce likely signs a three-year deal worth $15 million, with $5 million guaranteed.
Review / Potential / Value / Chances to re-sign
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