Giants Work Out Nicks, Welker and Cooley

The Giants brought in some big-name free agents for a workout on Tuesday, as WRs Hakeem Nicks and Wes Welker, as well as TE Chris Cooley were all in attendance for a visit, multiple sources have reported.

All three players are recognizable names, but not much else at this point in their respective careers. None were signed, so the Giants were probably just updating their emergency list.

Nicks, of course, was the Giants’ first-round draft pick in 2009. He burst onto the scene in 2010, when he recorded 79 catches for 1,052 yards and 11 touchdowns. During the Giants’ championship season in 2011, Nicks caught 76 passes for 1,192 yards and seven scores. He was the Giants’ leading receiver in Super Bowl XLVI, totaling ten receptions for 109 yards.

WR Hakeem Nicks during his time with the Giants (Photo: USA Today).

However, Nicks hasn’t been the same player since. He managed just 692 yards and three scores in 2012, and while his yardage would increase to 896 in 2013, he didn’t score a single touchdown.

Nicks left the Giants as a free agent after that season, and joined the Indianapolis Colts. Despite playing in a pass-heavy attack in Indy, Nicks caught just 38 passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns. His 10.7 YPR was a career-low.

Nicks spent the preseason with the Tennessee Titans, but was let go at final cuts. He had workouts with the Saints and Cowboys before working out for the Giants.

Welker, a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro, is one of the most prolific slot receivers of the past decade.

In six seasons with the Patriots, Welker caught over 100 passes five times, and led the league in receptions three times. He averaged 112 catches for 1,243 yards and six touchdowns per season in New England.

WR Wes Welker (Photo: Denver Post).

The problem with Welker is he turned 34 earlier this year, has a lengthy concussion history, and was ineffective for the Broncos last season (49 catches for 464 yards and two touchdowns). His best days are behind him.

A potential addition of Nicks or Welker is made even less likely by the fact Victor Cruz is set to return on Sunday.

Cooley is definitely the most surprising name of the trio. The longtime Redskins tight end hasn’t played a game since 2012, and hasn’t had a productive season since 2010.

The two-time Pro Bowler certainly had some success, especially in 2007 when he caught 66 balls for 786 yards and eight touchdowns. But in his final two seasons in Washington, he played in just 14 games, recording just nine catches for 73 yards and no scores. It’s hard to imagine Cooley being an upgrade over any of the Giants’ current tight ends.