When he came out of Penn State in 2000, LaVar Arrington was thought to be the next big thing, the second coming of Lawrence Taylor. It hasn’t quite turned out that way, but maybe all he needs is a fresh start.

Might that upcoming change of scenery bring Arrington to the Giants?

“I know they’re interested,” Carl Poston, Arrington’s agent, told The Post.

Like every team, the Giants head into free agency with $7.5 million in cap room now that the NFL owners agreed to a six-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement. Without the added money, the Giants would have no shot at landing a prize like Arrington. Even with the boost that puts the Giants about $9.5 million under the $102 million salary cap, Arrington’s price tag might soar too high.

But maybe not. The Giants, above all, need upgrades at cornerback (where Will Allen likely won’t be back) and linebacker (where Nick Greisen will move on and Barrett Green has been cut). After getting pushed back for a full week, NFL free agency finally begins Saturday at 12:01 a.m. and the Giants expect to be active, although they won’t come close to the bonanza they hauled in last year.

There doesn’t have to be a wait for free agency to commence to go after Arrington – who earlier this week, for $4.4 million, bought out his contract with the Redskins. Poston said he hasn’t spoken with the Giants but, through conversations with various sources, knows there’s interest.

“We have a lot of teams that are interested, which is not a surprise,” said Poston, who also represents another big-time linebacker free agent, Julian Peterson. “He’s a dynamic player, a big-time playmaker, it’s really unfortunate the Redskins didn’t treat him right. I’ll say it that way.”

There is a concern that the chase for Arrington will turn into a feeding frenzy. The Giants will go only so far. They are approaching this period much like they did free agency in 2000, when they made several subtle moves (Lomas Brown, Glenn Parker, Dusty Zeigler, Mike Barrow) to augment their team rather than the blockbuster acquisitions that grab the headlines.

Arrington, 28, starred at Penn State. Giants GM Ernie Accorsi often has an affinity for Nittany Lions. Arrington is a three-time Pro Bowler who after six years ended a deteriorating relationship with the Redskins. He hasn’t played up to his draft status (second overall pick in 2000) but he’s got oodles of talent.

Cornerback Sam Madison, cut last week by the Dolphins in a salary dump, visited the Giants on Monday and is an attractive option, as the Giants need to add at least one veteran cornerback. They also want to bring back two of their own unrestricted free agents, defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy and kick returner Chad Morton, and would like to sign special teams ace David Tyree to a long-term deal. Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, a restricted free agent, is also a player the Giants want back.

paul.schwartz@nypost.com

Signs of the future

Attention, NFL shoppers. One week late, at long last the free agency signing period begins Saturday at 12:01 a.m., with loads of quality players on the market and all 32 teams armed with an inflated salary cap of $102 million. The visits, rhetoric and signings should be hot and heavy.

Here’s a look at the top players available at each position and the teams they played for last season. For the sake of clarity, no one designated as a franchise player is included in the list.

QUARTERBACKS

Drew Brees SD

Kerry Collins OAK

Jon Kitna CIN

Josh McCown ARI

Jay Fiedler NYJ

RUNNING BACKS

Edgerrin James IND

Jamal Lewis BAL

Michael Bennett MIN

Mike Anderson DEN

Chester Taylor BAL

WIDE RECEIVERS

David Givens NE

Isaac Bruce STL

Antwaan Randle El PIT

Nate Burleson PIT

Antonio Bryant CLE

TIGHT ENDS

Jeb Putzier DEN

Dan Campbell DAL

Chris Baker NYJ

Chad Lewis PHI

Terry Jones Jr. SF

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Steve Hutchinson SEA

Jon Runyan PHI

LeCharles Bentley NO

Kevin Mawae NYJ

Brad Hopkins TEN

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Darren Howard NO

Rocky Bernard SEA

Aaron Kampman GB

Sam Adams BUF

Trevor Pryce DEN

LINEBACKERS

Will Witherspoon CAR

LaVar Arrington WAS

Julian Peterson SF

Willie McGinest NE

Cato June IND

CORNERBACKS

Ty Law NYJ

Charles Woodson OAK

Sam Madison MIA

Deshea Townsend PIT

Will Allen NYG

SAFETIES

Lawyer Milloy BUF

Adam Archuleta STL

Marlon McCree CAR

Chris Hope PIT

Corey Chavous MIN

KICKERS

Adam Vinatieri NE

Mike Vanderjagt IND

Ryan Longwell GB

Paul Edinger MIN

Matt Bryant TB

PUNTERS

Dave Zastudil BAL

Tom Rouen SEA

Kyle Richardson CLE

Bryan Barker STL

Jason Baker CAR