Talent show

Combine first stop in Reese & Co. quest to improve roster

INDIANAPOLIS — It could be viewed as a threat or a warning or a simple statement of fact. Either way, the marching orders for Giants general manager Jerry Reese are abundantly clear: Get more talent onto the roster.

That is the decree put forth by co-owner John Mara. So far this offseason, it has been about paring down the roster, not augmenting it — with veterans Jon Beason, Will Beatty and Geoff Schwartz lopped off, freeing nearly $12 million in salary-cap money for the impending free agency rush, which begins with the March 7-9 legal-tampering period and the March 9 official start of free agency.

The best, most time-tested way to procure talent is through the NFL draft, and the Giants, along with every other team, will spend this week at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Giants not only will get an up-close look at most of the top prospects available for the April 28-30 draft, they also will get the chance to speak face-toface with agents of their own unrestricted free agents such as Jason Pierre-Paul, Robert Ayers, Prince Amukamara and Rueben Rand le, players at key spots they will have some interest in retain- ing, at the right price.

New head coach Ben McAdoo and his entire coaching staff will be on the scene, watching, studying and interviewing players, part of the final evaluation process before putting the draft-value board together. The Giants own the No. 10 pick in the first round. It is an expensive neighborhood they have become alltoo familiar with the past few years — including backto-back 6-10 seasons, poor records that put them in position to select receiver Odell Beckham Jr. at No. 12 in 2014 and offensive tackle Ereck Flowers at No. 9 in 2015.

Reese and the Giants need to hit big once again, not only with the 10th overall pick but with their selections in the second and third rounds, as they need immediate help up and down the depth chart. It is not unfair to suggest that between free agency and the draft they must add at least six impact players. The good news is they do not need a quarterback, with Eli Manning returning for a 13th season. The bad news is they could use help at virtually every other position — most glaringly on a defense devoid of pass rushers, quality linebackers and playmakers in the secondary.

It is highly likely the true top-end talent—such as defensive linemen Joey Bosa (Ohio State) and De Fores t Buckner (Oregon) and corner back J alen Ramsey (Florida State) — will be off the board at No. 10, and the top linebacker, Myles Jack of UCLA, is expected to be gone as well. Still, the Giants will study these players during the combine — Jack will be there, but will not participate in the drills. Figure the Giants will take plenty of time to check out linebacker/defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky by way of Ohio State, as his interviews will be more important than his physical showing, given his severe offthe-field issues.

The conventional thinking is the Giants are targeting a defensive player in the first round. One of the very best, Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, is expected to miss the entire 2016 season coming off knee surgery, but remains a likely first-round pick. The Giants will veer from defense if a player they rate as a topfive prospect drops into their laps at No. 10. Ronnie Stanley of Notre Dame might be able to step in and be an immediate starter at right tackle. Laquon Tread well of Mississippi might be the first receiver off the board at a position of need for the Giants, but Treadwell — perhaps fearful of a slow 40 time — will not run at the combine.

For the first time in 13 years, the Giants’ coaching contingent will be led by someone other than Tom Cough lin, as McAdoo heads to his first scouting combine as a head coach. One thing he is sure to know: The Giants need help.

paul.schwar tz@nypost.com