Patriots still looking to trade for wide receiver, potentially for Hakeem Nicks?

(Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The New England Patriots put together an amazing comeback in the final seconds yesterday. That doesn't mean they still don't have their problems.

With Rob Gronkowski still yet to be cleared to play and Danny Amendola just suffering a big concussion, they are yet again down to the bottom of the barrel at the receiver position. Instead of relying on rookies to compete for a Super Bowl, it sounds like the Patriots are willing to try and make a deal to shore up their receiver corps and give Brady some weapons.

Who better to ask than the going nowhere fast, 0-6 New York Giants?

Former Patriots VP of Personnel Scott Pioli says that the Patriots are actively looking for a trade partner.

Scott Piolo just said on the Dan Patrick show that "he knows the Patriots are still looking for WR help via trade" mentioned Hakeem Nicks.
— Mike Loyko (@NEPD_Loyko) October 14, 2013

Bringing in big Giants wideout Hakeem Nicks would make a lot of sense. He's a proven veteran that has worked in an offense that requires adjustments on the fly like the Patriots. His major problem is, like many receivers it seems, his health.

Nicks name come up because the pending free-agent is currently being put on the market by the Giants. Who, at 0-6, have little to gain by keeping Nicks on the roster.

CBS Sports' Jason La Confora reports that several teams are inquiring about Nicks.

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.

Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated's Peter King writes on the price tag of Nicks, who would likely be a half year rental for a team like the Patriots.

Several GMs contacted believed the Giants could get at least a third-round pick for Nicks, even if he is just a late-season “rental” who then hits the open market in March.

Nicks, 25, could end up being the highest-paid player in what looks to be a pedestrian free-agent class (tight end Jimmy Graham, for instance, is going to be franchised by the Saints if he isn’t extended), and a team acquiring the star receiver at the trade deadline would only owe him about $1.4M for the remainder of the season based on his $2.7M salary).