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CBS Sports' Jason LaCanfora is reporting the struggling New York Giants might consider trading Hakeem Nicks, and the 49ers could be having internal discussions about Nicks. This is multi-step speculation as this doesn't even guarantee the Giants are going to deal Nicks. The article opens with this:
Several NFL clubs are planning to determine the degree to which New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks might be available via trade following New York dropping to 0-6 this week, according to league sources.
The 49ers reference was this:
Among the teams holding internal discussions about him, according to club sources, were the 49ers and Falcons
At this point, I suspect the 49ers will be attached to every wide receiver on the market leading up to the trade deadline. We know the 49ers passing game is struggling, with only Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis providing significant return. And yet, I just don't think the 49ers do a deal. The team is winning at this point, and will be getting back Mario Manningham in the next few weeks. Michael Crabtree is potentially coming back in late November, and even though it is unlikely his legs will be at 100 percent, he is still more valuable at 70 or 80 percent than anything else the 49ers have behind Boldin.
As for Nicks? Considering he's making $2,675,000, I'm not quite sure I see this kind of deal happening. The 49ers could re-do some deals to clear the space, but with Nicks also hitting free agency after this season, it just doesn't strike me as the smartest move. It would provide a short-term boost at wide receiver, but with reinforcements on the way, and plenty of cap issues to deal with, I just don't see it happening.