2013 Fantasy Outlook: Hakeem Nicks

June, 2012: Nicks Goes Down With Foot Injury

One of the top young receivers in the game, Hakeem Nicks has had his problems staying on the field. With this recent break of the fifth metatarsal bone in his foot, it’s likely he will miss most of training camp, if not regular-season games.As Jene Bramel points out in his recent article, even when Nicks gets back on the field, he could have other injuries because the body may still be compensating for the foot.

Hamstrings, Achilles, even knee problems can all result from one injury like this, even after your “healthy” enough for game action.

If I were a betting man, I would put my money down that Nicks will miss some games at some point, and likely give fantasy owners production no higher than a low WR2 this season.

Should you decide to draft Nicks, make sure you target rookie Rueben Randle as a backup. Randle was considered one of the better route runners in the 2012 class, and has impressed the coaching staff in OTAs.

May, 2012: Fantasy Projections

While Hakeem Nicks battled nagging injuriesthroughout the season, he was still a dependable starter.

Maybe he didn’t have the monster stats, his talent suggests he can produce, but I have no problem ranking him in the top ten this year.We saw what Nicks can do in the post season, and he’s clearly used as the true number-one in the Giants offense. While Victor Cruz will out produce him at times, I still like Nicks over Cruz for dynasty leagues, as I’m a little concerned that success will get to Cruz’s head, at some point.

Summer of 2011: Fantasy Projections

The Giants clearly got the best receiver in the 2009 draft as Darrius Heyward-Bey can’t play, Michael Crabtree is a diva that won’t work with this teammates and Kenny Brittis constantly in trouble with the law. In Hakeem Nicks, the Giants have one of the games top receivers already as he has all the tools you could want from a present and future star in the game.To top it all off, this young man’s personality isn’t a big pain in the rear as we’ve seen with so many receivers in the NFL game today. Truly, one of the top four fantasy receivers to take in any league, this third year man is only going to get better as I anticipate his numbers to climb in receptions, yards and even touchdowns. Quarterback Eli Manning loves to lock onto a big target like Nicks and find him time after time.

With Steve Smith expected to start the season on the PUP list, more work will be added to Nicks and Mario Manningham’s plate in the passing game. Heading into the summer, Nicks ADP value on Mock Draft Central lists him as the 4th best receiver going in both standard and PPR leagues. If you fail to acquire Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson or Roddy White at your draft, make sure Nicks is the next receiver on your list.

2010 Preview

Hakeem Nicks came on in the second half of the season and flashed his top end talent. Expect Nicks to take another step forward this season as he has the talent to be a true No.1 receiver and a top twenty fantasy receiving talent in the future.

2010 Fantasy Football Outlook

2009 Fantasy Year In Review: Like many wide receivers that come into the NFL it took Hakeem Nicks a little while to figure things out in his rookie season. By mid year, he took over a starting role from Mario Manningham and showed fantasy owners why he set so many records at North Carolina and was a first round pick.

Audio: WR Hakeem Nicks | 2010 NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings

For the season Nicks posted just under 800 yards receiving on only 47 receptions (16.8 avg) with six touchdowns. Nicks is by far the most talented player in the Giants’ offense, and he is going to be a key player if Eli Manning and New York hope to make another Super Bowl run in the future.

2010 NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings: Early in our 2010 player rankings we had Nicks as a top thirty option for your fantasy squad but now as his toe injury looks to be ok in June, we have him up to No. 21 overall.

It’s clear to see by the talent and ability Nicks has that he is a fast up and coming receiver in the fantasy world. His game isn’t complete but it doesn’t have to be for this guy to reach around 1,000 yards and even ten touchdowns in 2010.

I’m usually skeptical about young second year receivers but the 2009 class had a few talents at this position. Oddly enough it is the first one in Darrius Heyward-Bey, I hold the least hope for of all the first rounders that year.

Nicks has a great foundation with a quarterback in Manning that has clearly found his stride and a well balanced overall group. It’s going to be hard for defenses to lock down on Nicks when he’s not the top name in the offense yet. Don’t be surprised if Nicks gets man coverage throughout his second season as defenses will probably make him continue to show he can beat them deep. This should prove to be an asset for Nicks as he’s fully capable of beating that coverage.

Look for Nicks as a low end No.2 receiver for your fantasy squad and a great No.3 to land on draft day.

Assets

- Big Plays

- Touchdowns

- Solid Quarterback

Liabilities

- Hasn’t Put A Full Year Together

- Consistancy