'Prospecting:' Hakeem Nicks
by Ed Valentine on Mar 21, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in New York Giants News
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Right now the consensus No. 1 pick for the Giants in the first round of next month's NFL Draft would be North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.
So, I think it is about time we use a Friday 'prospecting' piece on the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder.
Here is a profile of Nicks from SBN's draft site, Mocking The Draft.
Strengths: Arguably the top route runner in this year's class, Nicks is a reliable target with very good hands. Runs crisp routes and has good quickness out of his breaks. For a receiver, Nicks has good strength. Cornerbacks have to be sound tacklers to take him down in the open field. Gives some safeties trouble when he gets a head of steam. Has good awareness of the sideline when he's up in the air. Knows how to really attack a zone. Easily locates the hole and is patient enough to sit in them until the pass arrives.
Weaknesses: Really lacking good speed. May test well due to offseason workouts, but Nicks doesn't play especially fast. A little slow off the blocks. Played in an offese that has several quality targets, which often gave Nicks one-on-one coverage. Has serious ball-control issues after the catch. Nicks need to learn how to tuck the ball high and tight as he'll occasionally get the ball knocked out of his hand.
Final word: Nicks entered the draft, following a stellar junior season in which he had 1,222 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns, both records at North Carolina. After Michael Crabtree, a real argument could be made that Nicks has the best hands in this class. He's also a polished route runner and strong after the catch. So long as teams aren't relying on him as a deep threat, Nicks should excel in the pros.
Football's Future added this summary.
Hakeem Nicks is an excellent wide receiver prospect despite not being as physically gifted as others. He is solid across the board but lacks the size of a Crabtree or Britt, and the speed of a Maclin or Harvin. He is a better all around receiver that most receivers and his hands and toughness will make him a productive NFL player. He could crack the end of the first round, but shouldn’t last long into the second round.
Personally, considering the Giants' dubious record when drafting wide receivers in recent years, any wide receiver pick will make me nervous. Yet, I do like what I see and read about this guy.
Your thoughts?
This Week's Mock Drafts
- The National Football Post: Round 1 (29th), Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina.
- Walter Football: Round 1, Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia; Round 2 (45), Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers; Round 2 (60), Tyrone McKenzie, OLB, South Florida.
- Draft Ace: Round 1, Hakeem Nicks; Round 2 (45), Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State; Round 2 (60), Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State.
- DraftTek: Round 1, Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland; Round 2 (45), Patrick Chung, SS, Oregon; Round 2 (60), Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State.
- NewNFLDraft: Round 1, Percy Harvin, WR, Florida; Round 2, Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers; Darry Beckwith, LB, LSU.
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Don't want Nicks
As the article said, he’s not a deep threat. He has good hands, but what makes him better than Steve Smith?
The only WR out of these top guys that I want, including Crabtree cuz he;s hurt, is Kenny Britt. And I don’t even want to grab Britt in the first round, which I highly doubt is the plan anyway.
The Giants can be mock drafted to get a WR all they want, its not gonna happen unless they really believe Nicks or Britt may be a Reggie Wayne type who works incredibly hard to make himself that good.
Also Britt should be there in round 2
If Knowshown Moreno drops to the Giants, or maybe even Leshawn McCoy (not spelled right I know) the Giants may grab one of them. Or one of the USC linebackers, or Andre Smith if that happens (19 reps yea, but longest arms in the draft make that a pretty good #, and you don’t bench press on the field)
Moreno and McCoy are 2 Tiki Barber type Running backs, although they both are actually home run threats (don’t take those 40’s literally, no one’s catching Moreno or McCoy in the open field)
I loved D-Ward, but imagine a TRUE Thunder and Lightening (and Bradshaw too, he’ll get a shot no matter what)- Jacobs and Moreno/McCoy. These guys were incredible in college and are only not Top 10 picks cuz of need and GM’s actually buying their workouts as translating to the league.
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 21, 2009 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions
why will Britt be there in round 2?
I bet he isn’t even there at #29.
by number_twentyone on Mar 21, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
What?
Most of the mocks, and most of the experts, have Britt going mid to late 2nd round. Not that they are always right, but there are a half-dozen wideouts who will likely go before Britt. Crabtree, Maclin, Harvin, Heyward-Bey and Nicks are likely to be off the board before Britt.
by Ed Valentine on Mar 21, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions
not from what I've seen
Britt is neck and neck with Nicks, if not ahead of him. He’ll go in the first.
by number_twentyone on Mar 22, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
There's a lot of good receivers out there
But most of them are not can’t miss guys. Last year nobody took a receiver until the second round. Other than Crabtree I don’t think any of the other good receivers in this draft are a lock to go in the first round. I think teams have gotten wary of wasting a first round pick on a receiver unless they truly believe he’ll make an immediate impact, and not that wany wide receivers produce that quickly. I’ll be very surprised if the Giants go WR with the first pick, because there’s almost certain to be somebody useful available with their first pick in the second round. Plus they may be able to use one of their extra late round picks to move up in the second round.
by Tucker Fredrickson on Mar 22, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
The fatal flaw in the mock drafts is
their assumption that the Giants are going to go through the draft making their designated picks. They won’t. They’ll trade up. I seriously doubt they’ll choose a WR with their # 1 pick.
So the guy is 6'1'', not terribly physically gifted, slow and not a deep threat?
Dont we have enough of those already?
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
I dont think Moreno would be a bad pick at all
they made a nice case for that in walterfootball’s draft…..it would be ideal if Plax was going to be free and welcomed back. Jacobs isnt the most durable guy and Bradshaw isnt the biggest either, so Moreno could fit in between.
Id be satisfied with that pick
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
I would love it
if it actually turned out Moreno/Britt, but who know if that’ll actually happen… Plax court date can’t come soon enough.
id love to see moreno in a giant jersey, some mock drafts ive seen also have heyward bey falling to the raiders in the second round, that would be a good pick if they can move up in the second round. Also if plax isnt back, check out a guy ramses barden out of cal poly. He reminds of plax in the red zone, 6’6 220 wr., if plax is back this is my ideal 1/2/3 picks
1-moreno
2-trade up for heyward bey if he falls to the 2nd round
3-ramses barden
just imagine plax on 1 side, this barden guy on the other(if u never heard of him, check out some videos on youtube) heyward bey in the slot and jacobs in the back field. it would be a defense nightmare for any team in the red zone.(i know its all offense) we’ll hopefully find out in 10 days a better idea of how the giants might proceed in the draft after plax’s court date
yes..
but Ramses Barden had the production in an option based offense.. including against Wisconsin.. Micah Rucker was booty in college.. I follow that level of football pretty heavily and Micah Rucker is nowhere NEAR Ramses Barden.
It's not easy being Giants fan in Philly.. but it sure is satisfying
http://novafacts.blogspot.com
by Hoyadestroya85 on Mar 22, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, man
Don’t ruin NY’s fun. He spends his days fantasizing about Micah. Let him have his off-season dream. LOL!!
by Ed Valentine on Mar 22, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
sorry Hoya, but you got it backwards!!
Ramses Barden is nowhere NEAR Micah Rucker.
Rucker is IN GIANTS stadium working out with HIS teammates as we speak!!! Mr. Barden is probably home playing Madden, wishing he could only be more like Micah, which we both know is impossible.
The likes of a MICAH RUCKER come around but once in a lifetime.
I think we need
A strictly Micah Rucker SBNation blog.. every time he uses the head it should be documented hahaha
It's not easy being Giants fan in Philly.. but it sure is satisfying
http://novafacts.blogspot.com
by Hoyadestroya85 on Mar 23, 2009 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions
how about this
Barden at Split End, Micah at Flanker with Steve smith and Domenik hixon in the slot.. we could do the Run n’ Shoot
It's not easy being Giants fan in Philly.. but it sure is satisfying
http://novafacts.blogspot.com
by Hoyadestroya85 on Mar 23, 2009 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Thing is
if Micah gets cut this fall ‘NY17’ is going to need some serious long-term therapy. LOL!!
by Ed Valentine on Mar 23, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions
BLASPHEMY!!!!
How dare you speak such a foul thought!!!!
WHAT is WRONG with you???
I come here to share the news of the coming of Micah in December, our savoir from the plight of Plaxico and this is what I get???
I am disappointed!!!
VERY disappointed in the two of you!!!
Relax, NY
Just having a little fun pushing your buttons. We hope you are right about Micah!
by Ed Valentine on Mar 23, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Nicks doesn't excite me
I certainly wouldn’t waste a first round pick on him. I’d rather take a chance on getting Kenny Britt in the second round and getting some linebacker or offensive line help with pick 29 or better yet trading up in the first round. As for taking Moreno or some other back with the first round pick, I think that would be a huge mistake. Over the last three years the Giants have had Jacobs, Bradshaw and Ward, none of whom were taken higher than the fourth round. We also had Ryan Grant on the roster and I don’t think he was a high pick either. Plus we have Danny Ware, who has looked good every time he’s gotten a chance. I don’t see running back as a need at all. And first round running backs are just as often spectacular busts as they are great players. Can you say Tyrone Wheatley or Ron Dayne?
by Tucker Fredrickson on Mar 21, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions
Running backs
To be honest, I hate taking RBs with the first pick. I am dead set against choosing Moreno. He’s simply not needed, and is he really better than what the Giant already have. Britt, Bay, Nicks, a linebacker, maybe even the best offensive lineman available would be better choices than Moreno. In Reese We Trust.
by Ed Valentine on Mar 21, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I've seen a lot of Moreno....
Let’s pass on him. He choked in a lot of big games. Couldn’t run when it counted. In my opinion he is overrated.
by giant fan since 57 on Mar 21, 2009 6:38 PM EDT reply actions
Running backs
It’s been proven over and over by many teams, including the Giants, that you do not need first-round running backs. You need quality offensive and defensive lines. If you can rush the passer on defense, and protect the passer and open holes for running backs on offense, everything else takes care of itself.
by Ed Valentine on Mar 21, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Well?
From what I know, the Giants DO have the best O-Line in the league. Yea it could be better should they move Diehl back to his natural guard position and get an LT (Andre Smith?). So its not like the Giants with Dayne or with Wheatley, they do have the most dominant line in the league.
I know its probably not gonna happen with drafting one oft he top RB’s in the first day cuz it really doesn’t make sense with guys like Jacobs Bradshaw and Ware on the team.
And speaking of Andre Smith, what are the chances that if he falls past 20 that the Giants grab him? Or maybe even William Beatty? I know the Giants already have the best O-Line in the league, but if there is any weak link in there it COULD be consider that Seubert is a starter and Diehl is really playing out of position.
Beatty is one of the top tackles in the draft and could come in and start even tho he wouldn’t have to. Andre Smith may be considered lazy and fat, but the guy was the best O-lineman in all of college football last year. And the 19 reps thing is a little blown out of proportion. The guy has the longest arms in the draft. You won’t be benching 35 reps with 36 inch arms. I mean it probably would have been better for it to be 25 or so, but the guy is a monster. Alabama was the best team in the league with him out there.
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 22, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions
O line upgrade
I think grabbing a good offensive lineman ought to be high on the Giants list of possible draft day scenarios. Your points are all good ones and having some competition and depth with some talent would be a big plus. The current crop of backups is a huge drop off from the starters. In fact I wouldn’t object if they traded up to get one they really wanted. Smith is an interesting possibility: tremendous upside and he may slip lower than his talent would suggest, but he could also be a colossal bust. It will be interesting to see what Reese does. Another interesting possibility would be Alex Mack who can play center and guard and should be around at 29.
by Tucker Fredrickson on Mar 22, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Alex Mack or Max Unger
Would be perfect too. These 2 are really versatile too in that they could play multiple positions, I actually think Unger has played all 5 line positions before settling in at Center.
The O-line thing is kinda difficult. Yea moving Deihl back to guard and grabbing a true LT would make our O-line damn near impenetrable, but the chemistry with Seubert should not be overrated and should be left alone,
This is why I highly doubt that even if Beatty or Andre Smith falls the GIants still won’t pounce. These 2 are probably gonna be starters, and the Giants just need depth. The later rounds I think will be where they try. Adam Koets and Guy Whimper are 2 guys that haven’t done a thing, but could add depth cuz they are still young. Id be surprised unless they really targeted someone in the first couple that any pick on the first day is spent on a Lineman. They have the best line in football. Also Kevin Boothe did fine when he came in for Mckenzie, so there really isn’t a HUGE need for a high round pick there.
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 22, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
O-Line
The Giants have no real depth there, especially since they have not re-signed Grey Reugamer. They do need some help there, although not a guy who would start right away.
That's why Mack is an interesting pick
Mack would provide an immediate back up at center and guard as well. He’s a quality player and he might be available without having to trade up.
by Tucker Fredrickson on Mar 22, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Shane Olivea looked good
maybe they’ll make a run at him if they have cap room after the draft.. if thats even a possibility
It's not easy being Giants fan in Philly.. but it sure is satisfying
http://novafacts.blogspot.com
by Hoyadestroya85 on Mar 22, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions
From what I've read Smith has a very delicate psyche....
I wonder what his transgression was that made Nick Satan bench his for that game at the end of the year? He may not have impressed at Pro Day and the Combine but I watched him play like an all pro during theseason.
by giant fan since 57 on Mar 22, 2009 6:10 PM EDT reply actions
Exactly
That’s why this off-season stuff is blown out of proportion. Yea he may not be stable off the field, but the guy was an absolute monster not only last season, but his whole career at Alabama and even as the best O-lineman in his high school class.
The guy;s a beast and I doubt that given his on-field production that he lasts past the top 10. They were calling him a #1 overall during the season, and guys like Jason Smith were only heard of as possible first round guys.
And Mack would be nice on the team especially since they have no real backups, but I just think that you can get a guy like Luigs or even Andre Smith’s teamate Caldwell who was actually the best center in college last year in the later rounds (for some reason he drops too even tho he’s better than Mack or Unger).
The Giants really don’t need to be spending a first rounder on an O-lineman when there is quality in the later rounds. Yea there can be steals at other positions too, but Id rather they go for a best player available then a need for O-line depth.
Also, what about a guy like Sean Smith the 6"4 safety who also can play CB? I know that’s another depth pick, but imagine this guy back there? MJ and Phillips are the obvious starters with CC backing them up, but why not? Sean Smith would be an incredible addition and make the giants defense absolutely silly good. Webster and Ross and Thomas as the top 3 corners, and Johnson Phillips and Smith as the top 3 safetys?
Smith could backup the corner position too in the case of the inevitable Aaron Ross injury. Imagine him blanketing the smirt WR in the NFC Beast? Would be a nice weapon, albeit for the defense. Especially if nothing else is there that the Gints want.
I know 2 safeties and 3 DB’s in the past 2 years, but you would like to keep those guys fresh too no? And to have a backup that has the chance to be real special like Sean Smith?
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 22, 2009 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions
If i was the Giants..
I’d be talking with Andre Smith and his coaches, former teammates, high school coach, academic advisor.. etc. I wanna see if this kid is really as much of a basket case as people portray him.. Because he’s an absolutely perfect fit for the Giant’s system as he is a punishing run blocker. If he’s available and not hopeless.. he may be worth it.
It's not easy being Giants fan in Philly.. but it sure is satisfying
http://novafacts.blogspot.com
by Hoyadestroya85 on Mar 22, 2009 10:36 PM EDT reply actions
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