Giants release linebackers Alec Ogletree and Kareem Martin

The New York Giants continue the restructuring of their defense with the release of cornerbacks Alec Ogletree and Kareem Martin, the team announced Wednesday. Both played two seasons in New York.

In the wake of defensive coordinator James Bettcher’s firing this offseason, Ogletree and Martin’s days were numbered as the Giants were expected to make salary cap moves.

Ogletree was due $10 million this year and was signed through the 2021 season. Cutting him clears $8.25 million in cap space and leaves $3.5 million in dead money, according to Over the Cap.

Martin was owed $4.2 million this coming season and releasing him clears $4.8 million in cap space and leaves $1.2 million in dead money.

Together the roster moves add $12.45 million in cap space heading into free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Giants acquired Ogletree in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams for fourth and sixth-round draft picks on March 14, 2018.

In his two years with the Giants, Ogletree started all 26 games in which he played, recording a team-high 173 tackles and was elected a team captain twice. During the 2018 season, Ogletree, was second on the team with 93 tackles (58 solo). But at 28 years old, Ogletree produced his lowest tackle total since 2015 last season with 80 tackles, one sack and one interception.

Martin was added to the Giants roster just one day after Ogletree. He played in all 16 games during his first season, with seven starts, finishing with a career-high 48 tackles (22 solo) and tying a career best with 1.5 sacks. Martin was sidelined for most of the 2019 season though due to a knee injury that he suffered in the season opener. He played in only five games and was placed on injured reserve before returning for the team’s final game of the season.