Can Isaiah Hodgins Develop into Giants WR1?

Isaiah Hodgins was a nice surprise for the Giants last year. Can he take his game to the next level?

Isaiah Hodgins, Wide Receiver

Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 201 pounds
2022 Regular Season Stats: GP: 10 / GS: 5. 37 receptions, 392 yards, four touchdowns, zero drops.

New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins spent most of his first seasons on the Bills practice squad after Buffalo selected him with the 207th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The 24-year-old only played three games in Buffalo before being released on November 1, 2022.

The Giants claimed the underused receiver off waivers on November 4, hoping to add more targets for quarterback Daniel Jones. In his first eight active regular season games as a Giant (Weeks 10-17), Hodgins made an immediate impact: 33 receptions for 351 yards and four touchdowns while playing nearly 80 percent of the snaps.

He was kept quiet in the divisional round of the playoffs against the Eagles but soared against the Vikings for eight receptions, 105 yards, and a touchdown.

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Best Case Scenario

Hodgins is expected to start as an outside receiver primarily due to his staggering height. His large catch radius and ability to high-point the ball could make him an extremely underrated red zone and deep threat. He has the talent to become New York’s WR1.

The Giants have a plethora of wide receivers and tight ends capable of playing meaningful snaps this season. Opponents may be forced to search for gameplans not revolving around stopping Hodgins due to the depth around him.

Hodgins has the opportunity to be the next great wide receiver for the Giants. NFL Network’s Cynthia Frelund considers him one of the most underappreciated talents in the league.

Full disclosure: I have a soft spot for Hodgins after spending two preseasons with the Bills and watching him work his tail off only to endure a series of injuries and spend the majority of his time with the organization as a member of the practice squad,” Frelund said. “ When he finally landed a spot on the Giants’ active roster—reuniting with coach Brian Daboll—I was thrilled for the kind young man who just wanted a real opportunity.

Worst Case Scenario

While having all those capable pass-catchers around Hodgins eases the pressure off him being the WR1, he may lose some targets.

Saquon Barkley has proven he can make plays out of the backfield. Adding Darren Waller in the offseason, one of the NFL’s premier tight ends, could also likely veer Jones’ eyes toward Hodgins less, and could the presence of Parris Campbell and rookie Jalin Hyatt.

While his height gives him an edge on deep routes, Hodgins isn’t fast. Many of his receptions last season were over the middle on medium routes where a cornerback wasn’t pressing him.

What to Expect in 2023

Hodgins' quick rise from the Bills' practice squad to becoming one of the Giants' best receivers last year is one of the least-mentioned stories in the NFL. With this newfound momentum, the 24-year-old is heading into his prime years. However, it is uncertain what his floor and ceiling will be due to the talent around him, but he certainly has the talent and ability to be a part of the Giants' core group for years to come.

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