"The Giants didn't trade for Anquan Boldin, but they drafted a receiver who many think compares to the Pro Bowler from the Cardinals.

With the 29th pick in the draft, the Giants selected Hakeem Nicks, a 6-foot, 210-pound wide receiver from North Carolina. General manager Jerry Reese said the Giants never really entertained trading up or down in the draft order - although they were tempted when highly-touted receivers like Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin began to fall and waited patiently with the 29th pick. At that point they had four players in mind and selected Nicks, the only receiver among the four. Linebacker Rey Maualuga from USC was likely also in the group.

"Obviously it's a position of need," coach Tom Coughlin said. "We weren't going to reach to take a player. If the player we wanted at the receiver position wasn't there, we were prepared to go elsewhere."

There were questions about Nicks leading up to the draft, particularly about his weight, which ballooned during some visits and workouts with other teams. General manager Jerry Reese attributed that to a hamstring injury suffered at the combine, but said Nicks is healthy, back down to his playing weight, and will be ready to participate in the rookie minicamp next month."