By Joe Pietaro

With a chance to trade for a proven commodity to replace their departed starting wide receiver tandem from last season, the New York Giants stayed put at number 29 in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft and selected Hakeem Nicks from the University of North Carolina.

Anquan Boldin, Braylon Edwards and Chad Johnson were all available at the right price, which apparently was too steep for Jerry Reese. It is hard to knock the Giant general manager’s past draft record and from all indications he has done quite well for himself once again this spring.

When asked about comparisons made to the aforementioned Boldin and former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin, Nicks said, “I’ve been compared to them a lot throughout college.” Good company, indeed. 

In his junior season as a Tar Heel, Nicks had a very productive campaign with 68 receptions for 1,222 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had his best game of the year in the Meineke Car Care Bowl with eight catches, 217 yards and three scores.

With gawdy numbers like that, it is no wonder that Nicks said, “I feel like I’m a very deep threat. My job is to catch the ball when it comes my way.”

His new head coach feels that calling the rookie the next Burress is putting too much pressure on him. “He is own man,” Tom Coughlin said. “We’re not into comparison between players. I think we’ve got to give Hakeem an opportunity to come in here. His ability level is very high. Let’s let him be who he is. I think he’ll do very well.”

So did Reese, who saw Nicks in the same light. “We got a very good player,” he said. “We like him a lot. He is a big, strong kid – very productive, strong body type that you like. So we feel good about picking this guy at 29.”

There were a few questions regarding Nicks’ conditioning which Reese addressed. “He did gain some weight after the Combine,” he said. “He tweaked his hamstring so he was really down and couldn’t do a lot of work.” Nicks himself did not shy away from the questions about himself, either. “Once I get up there it will be full go,” he said. “My hamstring hasn’t been an issue. I’m back to 100 percent. Got my weight back down and I’m ready to play football.”

Those are the words that the Giants do not only want to hear, but need to hear, as well. Just because the team did not make a deal over the weekend doesn’t necessarily mean that a veteran wide receiver will not be with the team at some point during the offseason.

“I’m open to everything,” said Reese. “We are always open. We will leave all of our options open, too.”

Reese also sent a message to the receivers currently o the roster – by drafting Nicks and firing a warning shot with, “I say some guys had better step up. That is what I will say. It is a great opportunity for guys to step up and we look forward to seeing who will step out of the shadows.”

The GM was speaking directly to the likes of Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss and Mario Manningham. Improvements are needed when a second-year tight end (Kevin Boss) leads the team in touchdown receptions with six. Up next with four apiece were the departed duo of Burress and Toomer. 

Extra production is needed from this unit, especially with the departure of one of the team’s reliable running backs. ‘Earth, Wind and Fire’ will be minus one with the free agent departure of Derrick Ward.

As for the rest of the draft, the Giants selected:

SECOND ROUND

Clint Sintim, linebacker (Virginia) – An excellent pick to obtain a four-year starter who had 11 sacks last season playing in the 3-4.

THIRD ROUND

William Beatty, offensive tackle (Connecticut) – At 6’6”, 307 pounds, he is very athletic for his size.

Ramses Barden, wide receiver (Cal Poly) – Another to go along with Nicks to strengthen the depleted unit. Has good size and is considered a playmaker.

FOURTH ROUND

Andre Brown, running back (North Carolina State) – Should get some of the reps that Ward had last season, although Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw will handle most of the carries.

FIFTH ROUND

Rhett Bomar, quarterback (Sam Houston State) – Would be a surprise if he makes the squad.

SIXTH ROUND

DeAndre Wright, defensive end (New Mexico) – Very undersized at 5’10” and under 200 pounds. Couple that with past surgery on both shoulders make this a risky pick.

SEVENTH ROUND

Stoney Woodson, defensive back (South Carolina) – Should see some time in the nickel and dime packages as well as special teams.