FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 10/26/2009 12:27pm et

The Associated Press reports New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks caught four passes for 80 yards and one touchdown in Week 7. He has caught a touchdown in each of his last four games.

The Huddle Take: The touchdown itself was a bit flukey, as Nicks caught a tipped ball and went 62 yards for the score. But four straight weeks with a touchdown... fantasy owners will certainly take that kind of luck.

Posted: 10/18/2009 11:36pm et

The Associated Press reports New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks caught five passes for 114 yards with a touchdown Week 6.

The Huddle Take: The Giants receiving corp continues to look good despite the loss of Plaxico Burress in the offseason. Hakeem Nicks has led the team in receiving the last two weeks and has developed a good chemistry with Eli Manning. Fantasy owners should look for Nicks to continue to be a key part of the offense and keep in mind he got off to a slow start due to injury.

Posted: 9/14/2009 1:51pm et

The Star-Ledger reports an MRI exam on New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (foot) revealed that the Lisfranc joint in his injured left foot was not damaged, according to someone with knowledge of the results of the examination. As a result, Nicks should return from his foot injury in two to three weeks.

The Huddle Take: While it looks better than it appeared when Nicks was on the sideline on crutches, the time he'll miss will damage his chances of moving up on the Giants' wide receiver depth chart. When he returns, look for him to be no better than the No. 3 option behind Steve Smith and Mario Manningham.

Posted: 9/14/2009 10:52am et

Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (foot) will undergo an MRI on his "sprained" left foot Monday, Sept. 14. Nicks is expected to miss two to three weeks, according to an NFL source. The source insisted Nicks would "be OK," and he added that Nicks and the team were "hoping for the best." It appeared the Giants do not believe Nicks suffered a Lis Franc injury.

The Huddle Take: The Giants are still looking for a go-to receiver and hoped Nicks might emerge as that guy. Steve Smith and Mario Manningham stepped up and made plays in the Giants' season-opening win over Washington, and they'll need to continue to do so at least until Nicks is healthy.

Posted: 9/13/2009 9:28pm et

FOX Sports reports X-rays done on New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks' (foot) foot were negative, and he has been diagnosed with a sprained foot.

The Huddle Take: Nicks only caught two passes for 18 yards on the afternoon, while Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and Dominick Hixon appeared to be more involved in the offensive game plan. With Nicks having a sprained foot the targets to these wideouts should only increase in the coming weeks with Smith likely getting the primary focus of Eli Manning.

Posted: 9/11/2009 1:46pm et

Matt Mosley, of ESPN.com, speculates New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks could earn a starting job during the season if he continues his steady rise in the depth chart.

The Huddle Take: Plenty of fantasy owners speculated the same thing on draft day. Nicks looked great during the preseason, and with no other Giants receiver emerging thus far there's still an opening for the first-round pick to take over the go-to role in that offense.

Posted: 9/4/2009 10:33am et

Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks suffered a hip flexor injury Thursday, Sept. 3, and he will not return to the team's game.

The Huddle Take: Nicks caught a 64-yard TD pass from David Carr before leaving the game. Despite a strong preseason, the fact that Nicks has been working primarily with the backups suggests the Giants are comfortable with bringing him along slowly. The injury won't help in that regard, either.

Posted: 8/18/2009 3:16pm et

Steve Sarby, of The New York Post, reports New York Giants rookie WR Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) had one catch for 9 yards during the team's first preseason game, and he has been slowed during training camp by a hamstring injury. General manager Jerry Reese has said Nicks has the skill set capable of being the team's No. 1 receiver.

The Huddle Take: It's still an open competition to see who the Giants' No. 1 receiver will be. And even though he's missed time in camp due to the hamstring injury, Nicks' chances are probably as good as anyone else's.

Posted: 5/9/2009 10:46am et

Michael Eisen, of Giants.com, reports New York Giants rookie WRs Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden could crack the Giants' lineup if they are able to continue demonstrating they are able to catch the football. With the team's top two starters - Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress - gone from the team, both rookie wideouts will have an opportunity to contribute this season. The two receivers demonstrated good concentration, a knack for being in the right spot and strong hands during their first minicamp workout.

The Huddle Take: With Eli Manning one of the better quarterbacks in the league, the door is wide open in NY for someone to step and and assume a big role. Training camp will help unwind this logjam at wideout but there is an equal chance that the rookies, Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Mario Marringham and Sinorice Moss all mix in for the season making none of them a clear fantasy play.

Posted: 4/27/2009 12:25pm et

New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese said the team expects rookie WR Hakeem Nicks to come in and compete for a job and be a contributor in some respect during his first year. He said the team plans to throw him into the mix with the other receivers and see how quickly he can come along.

The Huddle Take: The Giants didn't draft Nicks to develop; they have third-round project Ramses Barden for that purpose. Nicks will be asked to come in and provide Eli Manning with a bigger target, much like Plaxico Burress did prior to his off-the-field shenanigans and subsequent release.