The New York Giants are terrible and it's no secret that the team has to figure out what they want to do with wideout Hakeem Nicks in the future and while a trade is possible before the deadline in Week 8, it is more likely that the team will try and hold on to him and then sign him in free agency, but other teams like the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers or Philadelphia Eagles could be lurking.
The Giants have clearly not had the best season and Nicks has not looked all that impressive either. Two years removed from a dominating season and a Super Bowl, Nicks is coming off of an injury plagued season and now it appears the Giants may have made the right call in keeping Victor Cruz, as Nicks has not played up to his usual standards and that was clear on Monday night when he had a number of drops on plays that he usually makes. He had some bad drops in the middle of the field, but his worst was on a touchdown pass that yes, was a little high from Eli Manning, but it was in his hands and he should have caught it.
Tom Coughlin came out to say that Nicks should have caught some balls on Monday night and now moving forward the biggest question for the Giants is whether it will be worth it to sign Nicks as well. Having Nicks, Cruz and Eli Manning locked up with a ton of money could hurt the team long-term and now that the team 1-6, they could see it as time to move on. According to ESPN.com, Nicks is still on pace for over 60 catches and 1,000 yards and while that is still a solid season, he could put up better numbers than that and he will be asking to get paid most likely like an elite receiver.
Rueben Randle is a big receiver like Nicks and the team may have drafted him two years ago in the hopes that he could be like Mario Manningham as the third option, but now it's more likely that he will be the man to replace Nicks when he leaves. The 49ers are rumored to be trading for a receiver and while it's likely Josh Gordon, the team could go after Nicks in free agency depending on the way things go, as they have dealt with massive injuries at the position this year and last season as well.
The Eagles have some injury issues and contract issues coming up with their wideouts and trying to add someone like Nicks could be a good option for Chip Kelly. The Raiders don't have a true number one option, but come next season they will have more money to spend under the cap and overpaying someone like Nicks isn't the worst idea, especially since the Raiders likely will be able to outbid the Giants if they really want to.
Nicks had two straight 1,000 yard seasons in 2010 and 2011 and in that last season he had a career high 1,192 yards and at least 70 catches in both those seasons. Nicks has been hurt at least one game every season and he missed three last season while putting up his lowest career totals. The G-Men have some decisions to make.
