The NFL free agent market has Hakeem Nicks left as one of the top players available with Greg Jennings and the wide receiver could be a target for the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans and New York Giants as the NFL draft gets closer and there is a chance he may not sign with a team until after the event.
Nicks has met with a couple teams this offseason, with Pro Football Talk reporting that he has visited with the San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans. The website reported earlier this offseason that there was "little or no market" for Nicks and that has not changed much in the weeks that followed. Nicks met with the Titans last week and they could be a potential fit, as they have signed Harry Douglas and need depth at the WR position.
Nicks also met with the 49ers at the end of March, but that did not result in a contract or an offer from the team. The Niners may want some more depth behind Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith, but they also may wait until after the draft to see if they add anyone at the position. The draft this year is deep with wideouts and past names like Amari Cooper and Kevin White are players like Breshad Perriman, Philip Dorset, Nelson Agholor, Justin Hardy and Jamison Crowder.
The deep class may keep players like Nicks, Reggie Wayne and Greg Jennings on the market for a few more weeks depending on which teams stock up in the draft. The free agent wide receiver dominoes are starting to fall slowly, with Michael Crabtree getting a deal and Jennings looking like he will sign one soon. Crabtree was a target for the Dolphins, Panthers and Raiders and he ended up signing in Oakland.
Jennings has visited with a number of teams and Pro Football Talk reports that after his last visit with the Saints he has no more scheduled this offseason. Jennings has met with the Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers along with the Saints and he has had interest from the Jaguars. Jennings could make a decision if he has offers and depending on who he signs with, Nicks may have fewer options.
Nicks is coming into the offseason after having a disappointing season with the Colts and that was on a one year deal. Nicks had just 38 catches for 405 yards while playing in 16 games and he has really fallen off after a promising start to his career with the Giants. New York could look at bringing back Nicks, but with Victor Cruz healing up and both Odell Beckham and Rueben Randle looking strong, they may not look at that as an option.
Nicks had his best seasons with the Giants in 2010-11 when he combined for 18 touchdowns and put up back to back 1000 yard seasons. The Giants thought they had a superstar in the making after Nicks put up 79 catches for 1052 yards and 76 catches for 1192 yards in back to back seasons, but injuries and inconsistent play marred his final two seasons. The Giants did not want to pay big after two down seasons in 2012-13 and that led Nicks to sign with the Colts.