He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, and was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft.

[2] He was also named the Charlotte Observer Offensive Player of the Year and was also selected to the North Carolina Associated Press All-State team.

[4] Nicks led the team and set school single-season records for receptions and receiving yards by a freshman.

Butch Davis, Nicks' coach at North Carolina, went even further, comparing him to Hall of Famer Michael Irvin.

[20] The New York Giants, in need to replace wide-out Plaxico Burress, selected Nicks in the first round, 29th overall.

[27] Nicks made his first career NFL reception on September 13, 2009, against the Washington Redskins on wide receiver screen pass for 11 yards.

[28] On October 4, 2009, against the Kansas City Chiefs, Nicks recorded his first touchdown reception on a 54-yard screen pass.

[33] During Week 5, when New York visited Houston, Nicks exploited the NFL's 29th ranked secondary and more specifically Texans rookie cornerback Kareem Jackson as he reeled in career highs with 12 catches (tying a franchise record) for 130 yards.

[34] In addition, Nicks caught two touchdown passes on the day from quarterback Eli Manning.

[37] Nicks was inactive for the final game of the season in Washington due to a broken toe in his left foot.

[41][42] Nicks remained one of the few bright spots in the Giants' subsequent 2–5 slump, averaging 73 yards per game and recording four touchdowns.

[45][46] In the Giants' historically improbable 2011 postseason, Nicks had the most prolific receiving statistics in franchise history.

In the Wild Card Round against the Atlanta Falcons, Nicks recorded six receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns in the 24–2 victory.

[47] The following week against the top seeded 15–1 Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round, Nicks hauled in seven catches for 165 yards and two more touchdowns, including a 37-yard Hail Mary reception at the end of the first half.

[55] In the 2013 season, Nicks did not record a touchdown reception, but still finished with 896 receiving yards in 15 games played for the Giants.

As the deadline passed, no deal was done and Nicks remained a Giant until his contract expired at the conclusion of the season, making him a free agent.

On March 14, 2014, Nicks signed a one-year deal worth a maximum of $5.5 million with the Indianapolis Colts.

[58] In the Colts' Week 17 game against the Tennessee Titans, Nicks reached 5,000 receiving yards for his career.

[59] Nicks scored a receiving touchdown in the Colts' 24–13 win over the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round.