On Wednesday the New Orleans Saints signed veteran wide receiver, Hakeem Nicks, to a one-year contract according ESPN‘s Adam Schefter. The team though has yet to make the signing official.
New Orleans Saints Set To Sign Wide Receiver Hakeem Nicks
Nicks, 28, was a highly touted receiver coming out of the University of North Carolina. While at UNC, the former Tar Heel would set two freshman records for receptions and receiving yards. He also ranked third in the ACC as a freshman averaging eight catches per game and receiving yards per game. Quite a feat for the freshman receiver.
Before Nicks would leave to enter the NFL Draft, he left behind some impressive records as the Tar Heels most productive wide receivers. His records included the most career touchdown catches (21), and the single-season record for touchdown catches (12).
Time with New York
In 2009, the New York Giants were looking for a wide receiver who could replace Plaxico Burress, and slide right into the No. 2 role. That’s when the Giants decided to draft Nicks in the first-round (29th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.
The Giants would sign Nicks to a five-year, $12.54 million contract, which included a $6.5 million signing bonus. The rookie receiver would not disappoint in his first season, finishing the season with 47 receptions for 790 yards and six touchdown catches.
Nicks’ most effective season for the Giants came in 2011 where he played an integral part in helping the G-Men make Super Bowl XLVI. He would finish the 2011 season with 76 receptions for 1,192 yards receiving (15.7 ypg) and seven touchdowns. But it was his stellar performance in the playoffs and the Super Bowl where he shined the brightest. His final postseason numbers were nothing short of amazing. In three postseason games, including Super Bowl XLVI, saw Nicks finish with 23 catches for 389 yards and four touchdowns.
His final two years with the Giants saw the once promising Nicks battle one nagging injury after another, and struggled to replicate what he did in his first three seasons. After the 2013 season, the Giants made the tough decision not to ‘re-sign the once promising wide receiver, and he would eventually sign a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts for $5.5 million. However, Nicks never really fit the Colts offense, and was never able to develop chemistry with Pro Bowl quarterback Andrew Luck. He would finish the season with only 38 receptions for 408 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
2015 NFL Season
Nicks would spend the 2015 season with two teams. The first being the Tennessee Titans, and the second was a reunion of sorts with the New York Giants. In seven years in the NFL, Nicks recorded 356 receptions for 5,081 yards receiving with 31 touchdown catches.
Despite Nicks steady decline in production over the last several years, the Saints were the one team that showed the most interest this off-season. They even brought him in for a workout back in May. Nicks has had the luxury of playing for some of the most elite quarterbacks in football. They include Eli Manning, Andrew Luck and now future Hall of Famer, Drew Brees.
If Nicks can come into training camp healthy, and stay that way, then he’ll be part of a Saints offense that led the league with 4,970 yards passing. The Saints were also tied for second in the league with 697 pass attempts.
The former Giants wide receiver will bring some much needed veteran depth at the receiver position. With two young receivers, which include Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead, who are still finding their way. New Orleans also have second-round pick, Michael Thomas.
