Coach Tom Coughlin recently admitted to frustration at the New York Giants' inability to find common ground in contract talks with restricted-free-agent wide receiver Victor Cruz.
If the Giants truly are more focused on extending receiver Hakeem Nicks' contract, will that expose their flank for another team to take a run at Cruz?
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport hears there is already "a ton of interest" on Cruz, with "plenty of teams just waiting for their opening" once free agency kicks off.
Just 26 years old, Cruz is a sharp route runner with explosive run-after-catch ability. In addition to top-10 production over the past two years, the Eli Manning-to-Cruz connection already boasts more touchdowns of 70+ yards than all but two combinations in NFL history.
Cruz is sure to draw the first-round tender from the Giants. The question is if the traditionally slow restricted free-agent market will bear fruit for an impact slot receiver.
"There is enough interest in Cruz to make me think this could be the year someone bites on an RFA," Rapoport adds.
One team to watch is the St. Louis Rams, holding an extra first-round pick from last offseason's Robert Griffin III trade. With slot machine Danny Amendola ready to test the market, Cruz could entice the Jeff Fisher-Les Snead tag team to part with one of those high picks.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.
