Jon Beason Giants' top free-agent priority -- report

Linebacker Jon Beason is the New York Giants' top priority among their lengthy list of free agents, according to a report this morning from Jordan Ranaan of NJ.com.

The Giants are concentrating their efforts on a deal with soon-to-be free-agent linebacker Jon Beason, two people with knowledge of the situation told NJ.com. In the meantime, the remainder of their 21 unrestricted free agents have been put on the backburner.

The Giants have yet to make an official offer to veteran defensive end Justin Tuck and, while still hopeful something can be worked out, are under the impression that defensive tackle Linval Joseph will be too costly to keep. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks' chances of returning remain "close to zero."

None of that news is incredibly surprising considering what we have been reading and hearing in recent weeks. Beason, despite his obvious flaws in pass coverage and history of health issues, is the one player on defense the Giants simply have no replacement for. In case you missed it, this is what I wrote on Sunday:

Beason is probably more valuable to the linebacker and leadership-needy Giants than anyone else. He is not a superstar, and his injury history suggests he is only a short-term answer at MLB, but the Giants need him back.