New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) tries to stiff arm San Diego Chargers cornerback Richard Marshall (31) during second half action at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Panthers desperately need help at the wide receiver position now that they have released top wideout and franchise icon Steve Smith, and Hakeem Nicks makes the most sense as his replacement. Nicks is a true No. 1 receiver in this league, and there’s no doubt that he has elite tools. However, he has injury and character concerns, and he won’t get as big of a deal as he should have due to his horrible 2o13 season (he pretty much mailed it in). The Panthers are unsurprisingly prioritizing the North Carolina native, but they aren’t the only playoff team with strong interest in Nicks.
ESPN’s Josina Anderson recently conducted a phone interview, and he stated that he will visit with the Indianapolis Colts tomorrow, “I’m flying to Indy tonight. The plan is to meet with the Colts tomorrow.”
Nicks seems like a luxury signing for the Colts, because they already have T.Y. Hilton, Reggie Wayne, and top TE Dwayne Allen to go with a few other quality pieces like Coby Fleener. But Nicks in the Colts offense with Andrew Luck would be nasty, and it’s good to see Ryan Grigson and the Colts considering the possibility. If his price tag is affordable, then he could be a really nice snag and would force offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton to officially make the Colts a pass-happy offense under their uber-talented QB. I still expect the Panthers to sign him, but Nicks’s visit with the Colts definitely need to be followed closely.