New York Giants: What Hakeem Nicks’ return means

Entering the bye week, the New York Giants have made some additions to the roster.

According to numerous outlets, including NFL.com, Hakeem Nicks is back with the Giants, and this is very well his last chance to salvage his career.

More from New York Giants

• New York Giants deliberately disrespecting Saquon Barkley at this point
• 2023 NFL Season: Saquon Barkley signs silly deal with Giants
• New York Giants make big move with star RB disgruntled
• NFL: Which Giant deserved a contract extension – Barkley or Jones?
• 5 NFL teams that will definitely disappoint fans in 2023

The move was made to help bolster the wide receiver position, especially after Victor Cruz announced he would undergo season-ending calf surgery. Cruz never saw the field once this year.

Also on Spin Zone: The best player born in every state

Nicks, a fan-favorite during his first stint with the Giants, failed to catch on in Indianapolis in 2014, and was cut by Tennessee in the summer.

The former UNC Tar Heel had several workouts in the fall, but he failed to sign with any of the teams he tried out for. Nicks worked out with New York earlier in the season, and he remained on a short-list of receivers the Giants had interest in if their receiving corps got thinner. Wes Welker, who recently signed with the St. Louis Rams, was also on that list.

It’s easy to forget just how important Nicks was to the Giants offense during the team’s 2011 Super Bowl run. Cruz finished with better stats, but he was often freed up due to Nicks commanding double teams from opponents. Nicks really blossomed into one of the best, young receivers at the time, but a preseason foot injury affected him mightily before the 2012 season.

Nicks would suffer an injury in week 2 of ’12 — he caught 10 passes for 199 yards that game — and that was the injury that really kept him from being the player he once was.

However, it’s important to remember the Giants always considered Nicks a true number-one receiver. It’s easy to see why, as he had a penchant for making big plays in big moments, all while commanding two defenders.

So now the 27-year-old Nicks is back, with one last chance to re-gain the chemistry he and Eli Manning once had. Unfortunately for the Manning-to-Nicks connection, Hakeem needs to learn an entirely new offense with Ben McAdoo taking over for Kevin Gilbride, who was the OC when Nicks was in New York.

“New York” Nicks does have the benefit of working with wide receivers coach Sean Ryan again, so he’s not completely alone.

Nicks told Michael Eisen of Giants.com that New York has always been where he wanted to be.

“I’m happy to be here, happy to be back in the building … I knew I could help a lot of teams. I knew once November, December football came around I was going to be getting a football. I wanted it to be from here and it happened like this. I’m just ecstatic and happy I’m back in this building … Being back here where I was drafted in 2009, being back home, this is the way it was supposed to be,” Nicks said.

Nicks also said he’s ready to try to learn the playbook as quick as possible.

“It’s not a bye week for me,” Nicks said. “I’ve got to make sure I’m getting these plays down, so I can be ready to go come game time. It’s just going to take some studying, hard work and determination. I’ve got plenty of that.”

As far as what Giants fans can expect for Nicks; he’s likely going to slide in and be the number-four option, playing on the outside while Dwayne Harris, who has filled in for Cruz admirably, continues to play in the slot. Harris has been playing very well as of late, so Nicks’ return probably means less Myles White on the outside.

Nicks has always been a vertical threat who will never consistently burn defensive backs with his speed. However, when he’s in the open field, he has the speed to take the ball to the end zone.

Nov 17, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver

(82) celebrates with New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Say what you will about Nicks, but he’s going to give the Giants something Cruz wasn’t able to all season: playing time. There’s no denying Nicks is no longer a number-one receiver in the league, but that’s not what the Giants are expecting. He’s an upgrade over White, and his big hands and ability to locate the ball are two traits he still has.

Expect to see Nicks used in the red zone, as he’s still a player defenses have to keep an eye on in short distance. During his first stint with the Giants, Nicks was a master of the fade route, and I’m sure that’s something the Giants will want to try to utilize again. At the very least, Nicks is going to be another weapon on the offense.

Nicks is also the second-oldest receiver on the team — Harris is one year older —  but he has the most experience as a starting receiver. In Tennessee, Nicks was developing into a true leader for the first time in his career.

Over the summer, Nicks said he still has some gas left in the tank and a lot to prove.

“(I’m) motivated, determined and ready to work. I am ready to bring it all and lay it on the line, man,” Nicks said, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. I just want to get back into the rhythm of being talked about as one of the best receivers in the league, as I was in the past. I believe I can, but I need to go out there and prove it. No need to say words.”

To Nicks’ credit, with the Colts, he did play a full 16 games for the first time in his career. It also seems like he’s no longer getting hampered by nagging injuries.

Next: New York Giants: Time to limit Andre Williams

As a leader, perhaps his low-key attitude can defuse the feisty personality of Odell Beckham Jr. At the very least, the savvy vet will have a chance to offer the young superstar some advice, while trying to rejuvenate his career at the same time.

The return of Nicks is essentially a no-lose scenario for the Giants. Nicks, who always had a quiet confidence and swagger about him, seems more motivated than he’s ever been.

Who knows? Maybe Nicks has a productive end to the year and the Giants bring him back.

Writer’s note:

I’m a huge Hakeem Nicks guy, and I have been ever since he was at UNC. This addition is a win-win move for both sides.