No matter the stylistic and rule changes in recent years, Giants general manager Dave Gettleman still sees football as “a big man’s game.”

But the Giants will enter free agency with another need just as pressing as upgrading the right side of their offensive line and their tame pass rush.

The Giants will target veteran starting cornerbacks to bolster a secondary that only has one returning starter under contract, NJ Advance Media has learned. The free-agent cornerback crop as a whole is underwhelming, so the Giants will have to shoot for the top to make an impact.

In addition to the surprising decision to let go of three-time Pro Bowl strong safety Landon Collins rather than keeping him on the franchise tag for another season, the Giants could have two other holes to plug.

Free safety Curtis Riley and cornerback B.W. Webb are free agents. The Giants’ interest in re-signing either player is unknown, but Riley finished a miserable first season as a starter on a sour note with the coaching staff and teammates because of his effort, where as Webb grew into a leader in an ever-changing locker room.

If he reaches free agency, one name that will interest the Giants is Colts cornerback Pierre Desir, according to a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking.

Desir, 28, had a breakout year in 2018 with the Colts in his fifth season on his third different team, after resigning in the offseason on a one-year deal worth $1.75 million. He was drafted by the Browns and played for the Chargers, making one more start in four seasons combined than he did last season.

The former-fourth round draft pick set career highs across the board with 79 tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles, earning a grade as Pro Football Focus’ No. 18-ranked cornerback in the NFL.

Other cornerbacks who fit include the Chiefs’ Steven Nelson, who, like Desir, is coming off a career year, though he has more starting experience. Another is Ronald Darby, a four-year starter whose two seasons with the Eagles have been marred by injury (dislocated ankle and torn ACL) but is poised to land a long-term deal.

The Giants already have young cornerbacks in the rotation in Sam Beal and Grant Haley, who was a pleasant rookie surprise in the slot after going undrafted and originally signing to the practice squad. Webb also was good in the slot if he returns on a short-term deal.

Beal was taken in the 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft — for the price of the Giants’ third-round pick in the 2019 draft — but aggravated a pre-existing shoulder injury during his first non-contact and needed season-ending surgery. The Giants say they do not regret the decision.

NJ Advance Media has learned the sense around the league is the Giants have no plans to release cornerback Janoris Jenkins or restructure his contract for a second straight season. Jenkins is in a position of leverage because the Giants need him to anchor the secondary.

The Giants are short-handed at cornerback after dealing underachieving former first-round pick Eli Apple to the Saints for fourth- and seventh-round draft picks midway through his third season.

Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.