The New York Giants didn't know what to expect from center J.D. Walton when they signed him last year to a two-year contract. Walton had missed the entire 2013 season and almost all of 2012 due to ankle injuries. And after the Giants picked Colorado State center Weston Richburg early in the second round of last year's draft, there was no guarantee that Walton would even make the team, let alone start.

But Chris Snee's retirement and Geoff Schwartz's preseason toe injury created holes at both guard spots, and the Giants needed Richburg to play left guard and Walton to play center, which he did for all 16 of their games in 2014.

Walton's reward for finally staying healthy and avoiding the Giants' injured reserve bug? The Giants released him Monday in a move that clears $3 million in 2015 cap room and the way for Richburg to take over as their starting center in 2015.

Richburg, journeyman Dallas Reynolds and Canadian import Brett Jones are the only centers on the roster right now. And while it's possible the Giants could look to add someone at that position and either keep Richburg at guard or make him compete for the starting spot, they drafted Richburg to be their center of the future, and he's likely ready to take over now.

Releasing Walton leaves the Giants with $28,608,930 in cap room, though $14.813 million of that will vanish as soon as defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul signs his franchise player tender. They will be on the lookout for offensive linemen in free agency and/or the draft as they work on getting tougher run-blockers this offseason. Walton did a good job helping establish and administer the new offense from his position, but he too often got overpowered in the run game, and they're looking for stronger players up front going forward. Schwartz's return should help solidify one of the guard spots, and they'll look either for another guard or a right tackle who would allow them to move Justin Pugh inside to play guard.