PHOENIX -- Conversations with multiple NFL sources recently have produced a sense of disbelief that defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins remains on the market as free agency is nearing the three-week mark. But when it is revealed that the Giants' free agent is represented by Kevin Poston, veteran NFL insiders tend to have a better understanding of the situation.

Poston and his brother, Carl, were once major powerbrokers, representing numerous first-round draft picks in the early 2000s, including offensive lineman Orlando Pace, defensive back Charles Woodson and linebacker LaVar Arrington.

But that client list has dwindled to just three marginal players currently on NFL rosters. There's no mystery about the reasons the Postons have fallen off the NFL map.

Both brothers developed reputations as unreasonable negotiators prone to making exorbitant contract demands. Meanwhile, Carl Poston was suspended for two years by the NFLPA due to negligence that cost Arrington a $6.5 million bonus from the Redskins in 2006.

With Hankins, it appears that Kevin Poston is up to his old tricks. Poston's contract demands for Hankins have been "outrageous," according to a league source. One report indicates that Hankins' camp has been seeking more than $10 million annually, which would be more than All-Pro teammate Damon Harrison.

That's in line with the Postons' reputation. Their contract demands for Pace, who eventually fired the Postons, were described as a "ransom note" by former Rams president Jay Zygmunt in 2004.

Hankins is in a different position than most of the Postons' infamous contract negotiations. Those players were Pro Bowlers with some leverage. Hankins is a solid 24-year-old who is overshadowed on a defensive line that features Harrison, Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon.

The consensus from NFL insiders is that Poston grossly misread the market. One league source said this is the worst case of an agent misjudging a market they've ever seen.

While every agent's objective is to get his player the best contract possible, there is a level of professional expertise expected to inform the process.

But the big-money defensive tackle market never materialized aside from the five-year, $52.5 million contract Brandon Williams signed with the Ravens. Players in Hankins' class, such as Dontari Powe and Bennie Logan, were left to sign one-year, $8 million prove-it contracts. Meanwhile, Hankins remains on the market as teams put their checkbooks away after the spending spree of the first two weeks of free agency.

Poston, who didn't respond to multiple messages from NJ Advance Media, hasn't explained his approach with Hankins. That leaves the rest of the league to cast a harsh view on his handling of the situation.

Poston's reputation is already damaged. But Hankins could be the ultimate loser in this situation.

The window for Hankins to land a monster contract has closed. The best-case scenario at this point is for Hankins to accept the multi-year offer that remains on the table from the Giants. If the Giants pull their offer, Hankins could really be left scrambling. It's a mess that could have been avoided with better representation.

Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.