Oct 21, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) returns a punt against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Giants won the game 23-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants are likely to let Hakeem Nicks walk in free agency, a move that will allow Ruben Randle to expand his range within the Giants’ offense.

While Victor Cruz will be used as the major deep threat, Randle showed he could stretch the field despite being used out of the slot often and general manager Jerry Reese believes Randle will make a ‘significant jump‘ next season.

The team’s brass is confident that Rueben Randle will make a “significant jump” in his third season, which would seem to suggest Nicks won’t be back. Reese also said Jerrel Jernigan finally looked like the player he selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

The Giants aren’t likely to sign a high profile wide receiver to replace Nicks and will let Randle emerge as his in-house replacement, which is probably the smart move.

Randle may not get the official designation of the number two receiver assuming New York leaves him in the slot, but he’ll certainly be second in targets behind Victor Cruz.