As part of their weekly workout for free agents, the Giants are bringing in a pair of notable veteran receivers today, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that Wes Welker and Hakeem Nicks are getting a look from the club. We heard yesterday that New York is also trying out former Washington tight end Chris Cooley today, so it should be an interesting session.
Of course, just because the Giants are bringing in Welker, Nicks, and Cooley for auditions, it doesn’t mean the team intends to sign any of them. Like other teams around the league, the Giants bring in free agents every week to get an idea of what’s available in case they need to add a player to the roster at some point.
Still, the Giants haven’t gotten great production from their receivers so far this season. While Odell Beckham has been his usual self, Preston Parker was cut due to problems with drops, and Victor Cruz has yet to see the field. Rueben Randle also caught just four passes in his first two games before posting big numbers in Week 3, and the Giants have watched James Jones – released during the preseason – get off to a huge start in Green Bay.
With Randle showing signs of life last week, and Cruz close to returning, I wouldn’t expect the Giants to roll the dice on Welker or Nicks, but their auditions are still worth monitoring. Welker, who has a history of concussions, hasn’t received much interest this year due to questions about his health. Nicks, meanwhile, has a history with the Giants, having enjoyed his best seasons with Big Blue. However, over the last couple years, he hasn’t looked like the same player he was during his 1,000-yard seasons in New York.
Quarterback Phillip Sims is among the other players working out today for the Giants, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).