Giants WR Hakeem Nicks reportedly drawing trade interest from multiple teams
The 49ers and Falcons have reportedly discussed trading for receiver Hakeem Nicks. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
With the New York Giants winless in the season's first six weeks, several teams are exploring the possibility of trading for Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks before the Oct. 29 trade deadline, CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora is reporting.
The San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons -- who are playing without injured receivers Michael Crabtree and Julio Jones, respectively -- have held internal discussions about Nicks, according to the report, while the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens are also expected to seek an upgrade at receiver.
Sources told CBS Sports that the market for Nicks, who posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2010 and '11 and has 442 yards this year, would be "robust" if the Giants choose to make him available, despite the fact that he will be a free agent after the season.
KING: Another chapter for Tom Brady’s storybook
From the report:
Several GMs contacted believed the Giants could get at least a third-round pick for Nicks, even if he is just a late-season “rental” who then hits the open market in March.
Nicks, 25, could end up being the highest-paid player in what looks to be a pedestrian free-agent class (tight end Jimmy Graham, for instance, is going to be franchised by the Saints if he isn't extended), and a team acquiring the star receiver at the trade deadline would only owe him about $1.4M for the remainder of the season based on his $2.7M salary).
Nicks, a "big fan of Eli Manning," would likely still be open to signing with the Giants even after he is traded, according to the report.
There is no ill will or hard feelings between the sides, sources said. It's just the contrary, and Nicks has never blanched or complained about not getting an extension from the team.
