Can Hakeem Nicks Win Rookie of the Year?

Craig Santucci — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:34:28 -0500

Sevens months ago, the New York Giants drove 15 minutes into New York City and arrived at Radio City Music Hall for the 2009 NFL draft. That day the Giants brass left with nine unknown players who would hopefully make an impact for the New York Giants.

With their first pick in the 2009 draft, the New York Giants invested in North Carolina’s star wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.

It was a heavy wide receiver draft, so how did the Giants know they got the right guy? They didn’t! Reports circulated around the sports community that the Giants wanted wide receiver Jeremy Maclin from Missouri; however, the Eagles jumped up and took him, leaving Mr. Nicks the next best choice on the board for Big Blue.

Throughout the summer, the complaints were loud regarding to whom Eli was going to throw the ball. The team was now without Shockey, Burress, and Toomer. New blood Mario Manningham was an unproven player, Sinorice Moss looked like a bust, and Domenik Hixon, who is a fantastic special team player, was not a No. 1 or 2 wide receiver.

The Giants receivers did not command the respect as Amani Toomer once did, and they certainly did not strike fear into defensive backs as Plaxico Burress once did. So it looked like a long, rough road for the Giants passing game.

In steps rookie Hakeem Nicks!

Now, more than halfway through the 2009 season, this first-round pick looks like a top candidate to compete for “Rookie of the Year.”

Hicks is a playmaker with great hands. His lack of speed has not hurt him at all. In fact, at North Carolina, Nicks had the highest average per catch (18.0) of the top seven receivers drafted, including Maclin, Harvin, and Heyward-Bey.

While the NFL grind starts to catch up to most rookies, Hakeem Nicks and a handful of truly gifted players destined to become great have separated themselves from the pack. These players will become the future faces of their franchise and this great league.

Do all Rookie of the Year signs point to Percy Harvin? Not if Hakeem Nicks has anything to say about it!

Harvin is good....real good. And so is Maclin and if Mohamed wasn't in a quarterback soap opera I'm sure this guy would be ripping it up. In regards to Harvin, is it possible Harvin will see less opportunity because Adrian Peterson needs to get his touches? Yes, it’s possible, however Percy does have a distict lead with his intricate involvement in the Vikings offense.

Some maybe concerned about his health because of his special teams play but currently he is making it happen with Farve.

Knowshon Moreno and Michael Crabtree have a similar situation. When you have a great running back and a great receiver, the ball will get spread around to keep defenses off balance. This could cut production or enhance opportunity because they are winning.

Nicks has his work cut out for him but, has a good enough chance as any to grab the hardware if he continues with his production. Nicks will need a few break out games to give him the national spot light.

Since 1967, The Associated Press has given two annual Rookie of the Year Awards: one for an offensive player and one for a defensive player. But the NFL does recognize other awards from SI, The Sporting News, Pro Football Weekly, and Diet Pepsi.

Average: The Giants have abandoned smash-mouth football for more of a passing offense, giving Hakeem ample opportunities to make an impact. He is currently averaging 17 yards a catch, which is only second to Mohamed Massaquoi (19 yards a catch) from Cleveland.

Long: The North Carolina star has shown his big play ability, racking up a 62-yard touchdown, which is currently the longest touchdown of the season amongst his first-year year draft peers.

Competition: Outside of Massaquoi at Cleveland, the most difficult schedule goes to Nicks and Maclin facing Dallas, Philadelphia, San Diego, Atlanta, Arizona, New Orleans, Minnesota, and Denver. As much as Percy Harvin is a special talent, he is facing less competition with Cleveland, Detroit, San Fran, Seattle, Carolina, Chicago, and St. Louis.

Attitude: With the Giants' all-but-disappearing running game, Hicks should be seeing the ball coming his way more often. If Mario Manningham draws a double-team because his recent success with Eli, Nicks will become the “hot” route.

The Giants have the worst NFL red zone offense, and, it pains me to say this, but Jacobs has foolishly disappeared from the Giants' plans. The O-line has lost its swagger, so I suspect the ball will be put in Eli’s hands, where he can make a difference.

Harvin: 42 receptions, 602 yards, 5 TDs

Maclin: 42 receptions, 540 yards, 4 TDs

Nicks: 32 receptions, 538 yards, 4 TDs

Massaquoi: 26 receptions, 485 yards, 1 TD

Collie: 43 receptions, 483 yards, 1 TD

Crabtree: 26 receptions, 346 yards, 1 TD

Don’t get me wrong...Beanie Wells, Knowshon Moreno, Matt Stafford, and Mark Sanchez may have something to say about where that trophy goes, too. And let's not forget local boy...Kenny Britt!

Hakeem Nicks will be expected to make some plays if the Giants are to salvage this season, and, just maybe, it will win Mr. Hicks Rookie of the Year honors.

Read more Jeremy Maclin news on BleacherReport.com

Bleacher Report - Jeremy Maclin

Can Hakeem Nicks Win Rookie of the Year?