Giants Select Receiver Hakeem Nicks in First Round

Giants try to fill the void left by Plaxico Burress

Late in Saturday's first round of the NFL Draft, the Giants selected a wide receiver who they hope will help fill the void left by Plaxico Burress. Hakeem Nicks had an excellent career at North Carolina and makes a lot of sense with the 29th overall selection, but the Giants had a lot of chances to get a surer bet to help their offense.

They passed on a trade for Braylon Edwards because they didn't want to deal a first-round pick, but Edwards would make a seamless transition into the spot vacated by Plax. They didn't seem to be too interested in exploring a deal for Anquan Boldin of the Cardinals, even though he's got the toughness that's prized in the NFC East.

The potential trade targets weren't limited to veterans, either. Thanks to some bizarre drafting at the top of the first round, Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin each tumbled well below where they were expected to be selected. Those were the consensus top two receivers in the draft and the Giants could have used some of their 10 picks to make a bold strike to bring them into the fold.

None of which should be read as a slight against Nicks. What can be read as a slight against him was the fact that he gained 14 pounds between the NFL Scouting Combine and his campus workout. That doesn't speak to a very conscientious work ethic, and when you're coming off the Burress roller coaster it's a bit odd that it didn't raise a bigger red flag for the Giants.

That said, he was very productive for the Tar Heels. He scored 12 touchdowns in 2008 and is a strong receiver who gets to balls over the middle and in the air. He didn't run a very fast 40, but doesn't look slow when you watch him during games and rarely dropped any passes. He's a fine player, in other words, but enthusiasm is tempered by the players that the Giants left on the board.  

In the second round, the Giants selected linebacker Clint Sintim of Virginia. Sintim fills a need for depth at outside backer and is coming off an 11-sack senior season with the Cavaliers. He's not the flashiest player on the field, but he fits with the Giants profile of taking productive, if somewhat athletically limited, collegiate players in the draft. They closed out the day by selecting offensive tackle William Beatty from Connecticut. He's nothing more than a depth player at the moment, which is fine because the Giants have a strong pair of starters which gives Beatty time to polish up the skills he'll need to play in the NFL.

Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse.com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com.

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