When the NY Giants claimed wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins off waivers last November, few could have known the impact he would have on the team in the second half of the campaign. He became a major sparkplug for Big Blue’s depleted receiving corps.
While at the NFL Combine, Giants general manager Joe Schoen, who drafted Hodgins in 2020 when he was GM of the Buffalo Bills, called Hodgins an “important pickup” for the squad. Schoen credited the team’s scouting department for snatching Hodgins up when he became available, and the wideout for making the most of his new opportunity.
Hodgins became one of the most reliable options for quarterback Daniel Jones, which no one saw coming. He truly was fantastic for the Giants when it mattered most.
Joe Schoen has been quite pleased with the play of WR Isaiah Hodgins
"“I think Isaiah came in and he’s a guy we obviously drafted when we were in Buffalo and were familiar with him,” Schoen said via James Crepea of The Oregonian. “Smart, tough, dependable, good worker. He knew the offense. He came in, he could play four spots and he went out and performed the way we thought he would. That was an important piece; that was an important pickup. Great job by the pro (personnel) department identifying him when he became available and the timing was right. He did a heck of a job for us.”"
Hodgins quickly went from being an afterthought to an important part of the team’s future, as he was a major contributor down the stretch and in the team’s playoff win over Minnesota. In that game, he snagged eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.
The 6-3, 210-pound Hodgins’ impact for the Giants this season was no mere fluke. Despite being thrust into the offense in the middle of the season, the wideout posted 37 catches for 392 yards and four touchdowns in just eight games.
Hodgins’ size and versatility make him a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses, as he demonstrated that he can line up and create mismatches on the outside and in the slot. He is only 24 years old and his chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones will only continue to grow with more time together. Hodgins will be back with NY next season on his one-year, $870,000 deal.
With Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard and Richie James all being free agents, there’s bound to be some shake-ups in the wide receiver room for Brian Daboll’s squad. While the Giants still need to build at the wide receiver position both through the draft and free agency, it’s good to know the Giants have a reliable target in Hodgins ready to ball out once again next fall and winter.
Isaiah Hodgins shares awesome NY Giants video after re-signing with team
The NY Giants have brought back Isaiah Hodgins on a one-year deal, and the young wideout couldn't be more excited about the news.