Can The New York Giants Win With Two Rookie Wide Receivers?

Let’s face it. The New York Giants collapsed at the end of last season not just because they did not have Plaxico Burress, but the fact that they thought they already had enough tools to replace him. 

But, as was proven, that position was their Achilles heel to a repeat season. 

Amani Toomer was aging and is now a free agent. Domenik Hixon, although showing flashes during the season, is still just a third down receiver at best. And Steve Smith, his most memorable pass was the other helmet catch of Super Bowl 42 in which the ball went off his helmet and was intercepted.

Yet, as the Giants beefed up even more on defense through free agency, they ignored the one spot they desperately needed. Sure, there were trade talks about getting such high profile wide outs as Cleveland’s Braylon Edwards or disgruntled Arizona star Anquan Boldin. But these talks proved just to be talk. 

And when Commissioner Roger Goodell walked to the podium to announce the Giants draft choice, every Giants fan sat with anticipation of news that they had traded the pick for either one of those players. 

Heck, the Cleveland Browns were trading away their entire draft, why not getting one or two back? And then we heard Goodell say the name Hakeem Nicks. HAKEEM NICKS?!

Before we could even ask ourselves just who he was, we had to accept the shock that Giants did not made the trade for a veteran receiver. So as we all Googled Hakeem Nicks and tried to find out more about him, the Giants selected Ramses Barden, another mystery receiver that made Nicks look like a household name. 

Now, it’s good that they at least recognized that they needed help at the receiver position, but does this mean they’re going to start two rookies?

With their other options on the team limited at best, that seems to be the only choice.  As June 1 (the day when many teams release veterans) came and went, no additional news came out of Giants camp. 

So what exactly is Tom Coughlin thinking? Once he figures it out, hopefully he’ll let us know.