The NY Giants have clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2016 and life is good for everyone out there. First-year head coach Brian Daboll has turned around what was once one of the worst teams in the NFL into a franchise that can be proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish thus far in 2022.
Daboll and his coaching staff are being rightly praised for the job they have done, but it takes great players as well, and the Giants have plenty of those. Here’s a look at four of them who exceeded expectations during the regular season, regardless of what happens in Week 18 vs. the Eagles.
4. Wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins
The big weakness on the Giants roster is their wide receiver room. The previous general manager, Dave Gettleman, tried to fix the issue by signing Kenny Golladay to a $72 million contract. This was a disaster of a deal for New York, which benched Golladay earlier in the season for his poor performance, and he looks set to be released in the offseason as a cap casualty.
The Giants have had to field an offense consisting of receivers not much better than those on most other teams’ practice squads. Isaiah Hodgins was released by the Buffalo Bills after playing just two games this season. He was acquired by the Giants on waivers shortly after and has been excellent ever since.
Hodgins has played in eight games since joining the Giants back in early November and has 37 receptions from 48 targets, 392 yards and four touchdowns. His best game for New York came in the Week 16 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, recording eight receptions for 89 yards and one touchdown.
Hodgins has exceeded expectations, going from almost signing for the Bills practice squad to being the current best receiver on a playoff-bound team. He must be back in East Rutherford next campaign.