Jim Irsay is not afraid to make moves. His recent antics prove he is owner not to be messed with in search of a Super Bowl win. The Indianapolis Colts have already made one major trade this season when they acquired running back Trent Richardson from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a draft pick. Now that Reggie Wayne has been ruled out for the season, will Irsay pull off another deal before the NFL deadline?
There are several wide receivers that may or may not be available. The biggest name of all is Hakeem Nicks. Wayne is a tough player to replace. He is a veteran leader that knows the offense in an out. Without him, the Colts have TY Hilton and Darrius Heyward-Bey that will step up. Wayne leads the receiving corps with 503 yards and two scores off 58 targets. That type of production can only be replaced by another big receiver. Nicks is the biggest of them all.
The Giants have stated that Nicks is not on the market, so this trade is almost likely to not happen, but entertain the idea because Irsay is just aggressive enough to pull it off if he wants to. Nicks will become a free agent at the end of the year and if the Giants intend on re-signing him, they will have to shell out some big money.
The team is 0-6 so staying invested in a few players has no real value. They have already made a long-term investment in Victor Cruz and see a lot of potential in developing Reuben Randle. As of now, New York has shown no inclination that they intend on signing Nicks to a long-term deal so it makes more sense to get rid of him now when they can receive something in return than letting Nicks walk away for free.
The issue is cost. The Giants will ask for some big in return. The Colts already gave up a first-round pick for Richardson. Does the team have something in the bank big enough to get Nicks? It is unlikely. If Irsay is going to make a move at the trade deadline which is eight days away, he should look towards someone slightly cheaper.
Greg Little of the Cleveland Browns and Kenny Britt of the Tennessee Titans appear to possibly be available. Once again, both teams have denied the receivers being on the market, but if presented with a late-round draft pick, both players could be given up in a moment's notice. Irsay could get Britt for cheap. He has been on the outs with the Titans for a while now. Little could be very productive with a quarterback like Andrew Luck throwing him the ball. A late-round pick would be all that is needed for him as well.
The Colts have a bye in Week 8 so it is likely no one is in a rush to make moves. Irsay will have to replace Wayne somehow. Anything is possible with a guy that favors words like "blockbuster" on Twitter.
