New York Giants' Wide Receiver Trio: What Weak Spot?

During the preseason, the New York Giants were told time and time again that the only weak spot on the entire team was its receiving core.

The defensive line was heralded (prematurely) as the biggest thing since Eli Manning's latest contract.

The secondary was solid as a whole, because surely second year man Kenny Phillips would play incredible, and what about Aaron Ross? Send him to the Pro Bowl!

The running game would remain as strong as ever even without Derrick Ward because Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw had the talent to carry the rock behind an immensely powerful offensive line.

Wow. How accurate were those assessments?

The defensive line is nothing but atrocious, and has only recently begun to show signs of improvement.

The secondary has been nothing if not banged up and injured all season.

The running game has been mediocre at best, and that's only thanks to the way we have utilized Jacobs and Bradshaw equally.

The only facet of the Giants' offense or defense that has performed at a high level week in and week out happens to be the predetermined weak point: The wide receivers.

Hakeem Nicks: The Hands

Season Stats: 40 receptions, 751 yards, six touchdowns

Drafted in the first round out of North Carolina, Hakeem Nicks has taken the team by storm in recent weeks. He has the best hands out of the group. Even after a few key drops in the Philly game, he responded with an acrobatic catch and scamper for a touchdown.

I believe Nicks has a ton of upside and could easily eclipse 1,200 or 1,300 yards next season. The thing that he excels in is running after the catch; he showed it when he bailed Eli out after hurting his foot against Kansas City, and in the aforementioned Eagles game in Week 14.

Mario Manningham: The Deep Threat

Season Stats: 51 receptions, 735 yards, five touchdowns

Super Mario was originally thought to be the No. 1 guy in the Big Blue passing attack, but in the past weeks has relinquished his spot to Nicks. It hasn't affected his play, as Manning is often looking his way deep down field.

Manningham has had exceptional games against the Cowboys in Week 2 (10 catches for 151 yards) and against Atlanta (six catches for 126 yards). As Nicks improves his game, he will start to see double coverage and eventually open up the opposite side for Manningham. That is when he will be able to thrive in his No. 2 role.

Steve Smith: Mr. Third Down

Season Stats: 90 receptions, 1,093 yards, six touchdowns

Be happy Giants fans. This could be Dwayne Jarrett we're talking about.

Smith has been the best receiver on the Giants team by far and has excelled in his slot role this year. He will close in on 100 receptions by the end of the year and should finish right around 1,200 yards. Most importantly, he is Eli Manning's third down go-to guy.

Smith will enjoy time next season playing the entire year out of the slot position and should expect 100-110 receptions again. There is no reason those numbers are not reachable. Don't forget, he is sixth all-time at USC in receptions and was the 2006 team MVP. This guy is a stud and will be a crucial part to any Giant success.

Next Year...

The best thing that these receivers bring to the team will be seen on draft day. The Giants will be able to focus on their other needs: In the last three years, they have used a first, second, and two third round picks on a wide receiver.

With these boys stepping up their game, they can use those picks to bolster an aging offensive line, work on the running game, or draft a stud linebacker.

Whatever they choose, Big Blue will come back with a vengeance next year...but only after they finish this year's playoff push.

Travis Rand is a New York Giants Community Leader, and has had articles published to CBSports, Fox Sports, National Football Post. He also thinks you should draft Hakeem Nicks in your fantasy draft next year.