Wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins came to the Giants off waivers from the Buffalo Bills mid-season last year and proved to be a tremendous pickup for general manager Joe Schoen and company.
Hodgins showed excellent chemistry with Daniel Jones from the get-go and became a reliable target. Finally receiving a real opportunity, he made a name for himself over the final weeks of the regular season and during the playoffs.
The Oregon State product finished the year with 33 catches for 352 yards and four touchdowns. Hodgins added nine catches on 11 targets for 108 yards and a touchdown in the postseason. He proved to be extremely sure-handed, not dropping a single target.
Hodgins showed the Giants more than enough that it was an easy decision for them to re-sign him as he was set to become an exclusive rights free agent this offseason.
That’s exactly why his confidence is at an “all-time high” heading into the 2023 season.
“My first two years in the league I battled some injuries and there were some ups and downs,” he recently said on the 2nd Wind podcast. “Last year was my first healthy year going into camp prepared and ready both mentally and physically. Coaches would tell me I look confident out there and I’m just trying to take that same approach into this year.
“I feel the strongest and fastest I’ve ever felt. I’m just getting in shape with all the guys and trying to prepare myself mentally for another long year of football in a new role with the Giants.”
The Giants made numerous additions to their offense this offseason at both tight end (Darren Waller) and wide receiver (Parris Campbell and Jalin Hyatt), but many feel they still lack a true top option for Jones in the passing game.
With that in mind, Hodgins knows he’s going to be facing some high expectations in his second year in Mike Kafka’s offense, especially after his breakout performances late last season.
The 24-year-old wideout says he’s ready for the bigger spotlight and he’s eager to get to camp and to continue improving.
“I try not to think about it too much and just try to fall in love with the process of getting better every day and really working hard and just let everything else fall into place. I know there’s gonna be more expectations with how I ended the year.
“I have high expectations for myself, I always do,” he said. “I know what I can do yards and touchdown wise. I know that I’m going to be a Pro Bowler in this league one day. I know that I’m going to be able to help my team continue to win playoff games and make big plays in big moments. I hold that high of a standard for myself.”