The New York Giants took care of their biggest priority in free agency by locking up left tackle Will Beatty on Wednesday.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that the Giants re-signed their starting left tackle with a five-year, $38.75 million deal, according to a source familiar with the deal. The deal includes $19 million guaranteed.

The move is a big one for the Giants. They retain a major piece of their offensive line at a reasonable price for a starting left tackle. The Giants consider Beatty, who will turn 28 on Saturday, an up-and-coming guy, and they didn't have to break the bank to keep him.

The Giants drafted Beatty in the second round in 2009, and he is coming off a season in which he started 15 games despite being slowed by a back issue throughout the offseason last year.

The move also took the Giants' biggest priority off the market before free agency begins next month. The Giants now can look to re-sign left guard Kevin Boothe, who also is a free agent. That would solidify the left side of the line. The Giants still need to strengthen their line with some depth and youth considering right guard Chris Snee, center David Baas and tackle David Diehl all underwent offseason surgeries.

General manager Jerry Reese released veterans like Chris Canty, Ahmad Bradshaw and Michael Boley to clear cap space to keep the likes of Beatty. The Giants may have some more maneuvering to do with their cap in order to keep free agents like tight end Martellus Bennett and restricted free agents like wide receiver Victor Cruz, safety Stevie Brown and running back Andre Brown.

But so far, so good -- the Giants have taken care of their biggest free agent before free agency even begins.

Tell us what you think of Beatty's new deal.