Still plenty of work to be done, especially on Big Blue’s O-line

The Giants need a better offensive line just as badly as they need better skill position players. John Mara’s January pronouncement that adding offensive pieces would be a “priority” got all the attention, and that certainly wasn’t all talk.

The Giants’ pursuit of Kenny Golladay has been proof of that, as were their early signings of running back Devontae Booker, tight end Kyle Rudolph and wideout John Ross to supplement their depth chart with reliability and big-play upside.

But the offensive line is still an unfinished product, reinforced by the team’s release of starting right guard Kevin Zeitler in a cap-saving, rebuild-focused cut.

Head coach Joe Judge’s staff restructure also shined a bright light on the line as the urgent priority it is and should be — four assistants are assigned in some way to coach the front.

So expect GM Dave Gettleman and Judge to continue pursuing all avenues to bolster and reinforce that group both for 2021 and the future.

The Giants hold six picks in April’s draft, including one in the top four rounds and two in the sixth. Their first-round pick is No. 11 overall.

Although they drafted tackle Andrew Thomas (first-round), tackle Matt Peart (third-round) and guard Shane Lemieux (fifthround) in 2020, that does not preclude the Giants from attacking the O-line in a second straight draft. It’s clear they still need more talent.

And while this is a young group that is still developing, the Giants need their line to be respectable enough in 2020 to give Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley and New York’s new weapons a chance to succeed.

ACTION ON JACKSON

Former Titans corner Adoree’ Jackson has plans to visit both the Giants and Eagles early this week. Tennessee released Jackson, 25, Tuesday rather than paying him $10.244 million on his fifth-year option. He is the third starter in the Titans’ disappointing secondary to be released this offseason but is much younger than corner Malcolm Butler, 31, and safety Kenny Vaccaro, 30. The Giants need a starting No. 2 corner and better depth.

Jackson, the Titans’ 18th overall pick out of USC in 2017, played three seasons in Tennessee with Giants safety Logan Ryan and defensive tackle Austin Johnson from 2017-19. He has speed, and he also can return punts and kicks.

THE OTHER LEONARD

The Giants made a huge early push for Rams edge rusher Leonard Floyd and struck out, sources confirmed to the Daily News. Floyd, 28, stayed in Los Angeles on a four-year, $64 million deal with $32.5 million guaranteed.

Landing Floyd on top of re-signing Leonard Williams would have been a statement start to the 2021 offseason by Big Blue. Unfortunately, they failed for a third time to bring him to New York, including the Bears’ 2016 draft day trade from No. 11 to No. 9 ahead of the Giants at No. 10 to get him. There was also interest last offseason when Floyd signed a one-year with the Rams.

The Giants’ aggressive pursuit of Floyd reflects that they are willing to invest significant resources — and aren’t just shopping in the value bins — when it comes to their sub-par edge position. And their failure to land Floyd means that gaping hole still exists as New York prepares for late April’s draft.

Something to keep in mind: the Giants wanted Floyd in the 2016 draft and they took Lorenzo Carter in the 2019 third round. Both played their college ball at Georgia. And the Bulldogs have a tantalizing 20-year-old edge prospect in Azeez Ojulari projected in this year’s first round.

The Giants took a stab at value this week with former Vikings edge Ifeadi Odenigbo’s one-year deal, $2.5 million deal — similar to Kyler Fackrell’s one-year contract last season that totaled $4.6 million with incentives reached.

A GOOD BACKUP RB? BOOK IT

There was some public outcry about the Giants giving Devontae Booker a two-year deal worth $5.5-6 million, depending if he reaches $500,000 of incentives. But think of it this way:

The Giants spent $4 million total in cap space last season on Dion Lewis, Wayne Gallman, Alfred Morris and Devontae Freeman. The only back in that group versatile enough to carry the ball, catch passes, pass block (with mixed results) and play special teams was Lewis, who fumbled three times.

If Saquon Barkley isn’t 100% when training camp arrives, Booker is a back that the Giants trust. If Barkley is healthy, Booker gives them a versatile and reliable backup who can pass block (since Barkley struggles badly in this area) and play special teams even if he isn’t carrying the ball. Add more value depth via free agency (the Patriots’ Rex Burkhead?) or a late-round pick/undrafted free agent, and the Giants suddenly have depth and utility at the RB position.

FINDING VALUE

The Giants’ need for improved depth, combined with the draft’s uncertainty and the shrinking NFL salary cap, meant Gettleman and Judge would be hunting for value this offseason. And they got to work quickly.

They brought in Lions inside backer Reggie Ragland for one year on a $987,500 cap hit to replace released LB David Mayo, a $3.55 million cap hit last year. They signed QB Mike Glennon at a $1.35 million cap hit, lower than Colt McCoy’s $2.25 million hit in 2020.

Along with Kenny Golladay, they inked wideout John Ross on a one-year, $1.84 million cap hit after releasing Golden Tate, who counted $5.65 million last season. And Odenigbo’s maximum salary is $2.1 million less than what the Giants paid Fackrell last year.

The Giants didn’t save money in every tradeoff. But these are some examples of how assistant GM Kevin Abrams, who manages the cap, helped the Giants build a roster despite a $15.7 million drop in the NFL’s total cap for 2021.