The New York Giants have been in a position to trade wide receiver Hakeem Nicks for some time already and while all reports have him staying with Big Blue, that hasn't stopped speculation and proposed deals and one interesting option is the Carolina Panthers for running back Jonathan Stewart, as the running game for the G-Men is terrible.
Nicks isn't getting traded because the Giants are not that type of organization and after winning their last two games it's even more unlikely since they are just two out in the division, but bear with us, its trade deadline day. According to column from NFL.com by Gil Brandt, senior analyst, the Giants and Panthers would fit for a deal, even if the teams wouldn't do it in reality. The Panthers lack a number one receiver while the Giants lack a starting running back with Andre Brown and David Wilson injured and this could make both sides happy.
The Giants are hoping they can re-sign Nicks after the season despite the fact that they probably will lose him and that is one reason why there have been reports that the Giants will try to deal him. The team would like to get something out of him before he leaves, if he leaves and the Panthers are an interesting option, as they have Stewart, an oft-injured but solid running back, while general manager Dave Gettleman used to work with the Giants, meaning a deal could happen quickly if it starts moving. The Panthers defense has been stellar and the offense already has Mike Tolbert and DeAngelo Williams, making Stewart possibly expendable and with Steve Smith already there with Brandon LaFell, Nicks could transform the offense for the Panthers.
The Giants signed Peyton Hillis as a short term solution and Stewart is a dual threat back that has been able to catch the ball consistently out of the backfield. Last season he played in just nine games and has yet to play in 2013, but his return is expected soon and he previously had a 1,000 yard season in 2009 and missed just two games over the previous four seasons before 2012.
According to ESPN.com, the Giants are resisting "overtures" for Nicks and while a deal likely isn't going down, this one to the Panthers isn't that crazy. Nicks played his college ball at North Carolina and he could be an option for Stewart, as another post writes that it could be a win-win for the two teams, as Stewart is under contract into 2017 and it would help clear space for both teams. The Giants likely will not do this after winning two straight games and trading Nicks means he will not be re-signing most likely.
Nicks is having a down season so far through eight games with just 34 catches for 521 yards and zero touchdowns, but he is on a 1,000 yard pace and after playing in just 13 games last season, the Giants are hoping he can get back to 2011 form. That season he had 76 catches for over 1,000 yards and that came after a 79 catch, 1,000 yard season with 11 TDs. That's the Nicks they want.
The Giants don't make moves like this and they likely won't this time around either.