EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.  – The Giants today released center J.D. Walton, who started all 16 games in 2014.
 
The move creates an opening for Weston Richburg, the team’s second-round draft choice last year. Richburg played left guard as a rookie. But head coach Tom Coughlin, when asked at the recent NFL Scouting Combine if he had a “preferred position” for Richburg, said, “He is a center. He will have every opportunity to compete.”
 
The Giants also recently signed Brett Jones, a center who was one of the Canadian Football League’s very best offensive linemen.
 
Walton, a six-year veteran, signed with the Giants as a free agent on March 13, 2014. He was one of three offensive linemen to start every game last season, joining left tackle Will Beatty and right guard John Jerry.
 
Walton has started all 52 regular-season and two postseason games in which he’s played in his career. He entered the NFL as a third-round draft choice of the Denver Broncos in 2010. Walton started the first 36 games of his career – plus two playoff games – before suffering an ankle injury vs. Oakland on Sept. 30, 2012. He was placed on injured reserve the following day.
 
The Broncos waived Walton on Dec. 17, 2013. He was awarded to Washington the following day, but never played a game for the Redskins before becoming a free agent.