The Giants are negotiating to keep Jason Pierre-Paul by placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on him that would force any salivating suitor to surrender a pair of first-round picks should the Giants decide not to match the offer during the seven-day window, The Post has learned.

In other words, the Giants are putting their money where co-owner John Mara’s mouth was when he declared immediately following the season they want JPP back — at the right price.

The Giants know better than most that gifted 26-year-old pass rushers don’t grow on trees, and in the event another team values Pierre-Paul more than they do, or has more cap room, this is the shrewd play to possibly discourage a would-be raider from stealing him away without having to pay Big Blue a prohibitive price.

“They will negotiate to tag him,” a league source familiar with the Giants’ thinking told The Post.

If the market is not what Pierre-Paul hopes it will be between now and the March 2 opening of the negotiating window and he remains a Giant, he would receive a guaranteed salary based on the five-year average cap percentage of the franchise tag for his position, or receive the same 20 percent raise as the exclusive franchise player.

It would also buy the Giants time to work out a long-term deal with him. The Giants would prefer a deal that would pay Pierre-Paul in the $11 million-to-$12 million range instead of a whopping $14.6 million for 2015, considering they are $18 million under the cap.

Pierre-Paul finished his 2014 salary drive with a flourish — overcoming the back and shoulder problems that sabotaged his 2012 and 2013 seasons — with 12.5 sacks and superior run defense.

“The guy has some ability to be a game-changer. We didn’t see enough of that in the first half of the season,” general manager Jerry Reese said following the season — words undoubtedly meant for the ears of Team JPP.

Pierre-Paul has offered conflicting signals about his desires.

“If I could stay here, I’d love to be a Giant for life,’’ he said in December.

He originally signed a five-year, $20.05 million deal that included $11.6 million in guaranteed money. His 2014 salary was $2.11 million, and he declined to publicly offer the club a hometown discount.

Which means if he does indeed want to be a Giant For Life, he wants to be a Rich Giant For Life.