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Isaiah Hodgins has become a weapon for Giants QB Daniel Jones
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins. John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Bills castoff Isaiah Hodgins has become a weapon for Giants QB Daniel Jones

A Buffalo Bills castoff has emerged as one of Giants QB Daniel Jones' leading targets.

Wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins, whose mentors include Bills star Stefon Diggs, is the Giants' third-leading receiver, behind Darius Slayton and Richie James. New York claimed the 24-year-old off the waiver wire at the beginning of November.

“I feel like I’ve taken a lot of what I learned [in Buffalo] and used it here with the Giants," Hodgins told NJ.com's Bob Brookover.

In two seasons with the Bills, Hodgins played sparingly. In eight games with the Giants, he has 33 catches for 351 yards and four TD catches — a team-tying high.

Hodgins said his dad, former NFL fullback James Hodgins, is his "harshest critic." James spent seven years in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams in 2000.

"He is always trying to rewind the TV and trying to find a route I could have done better on or a block I could have done better. It keeps me motivated and it keeps me humble," Isaiah said. 

In New York, Hodgins has rekindled a relationship with Giants head coach Brian Daboll, the offensive coordinator for the Bills from 2018-21.

Upon Hodgins' arrival in New York, Daboll immediately threw him in the lineup. 

“Sometimes they try to catch you up to speed for a week or two, but he was like, ‘You’re playing this next week,’" Hodgins said.

On the practice squad in Buffalo, Hodgins had earned Daboll's trust. "He has a good skill set," the coach said, via Yahoo Sports' John Flanigan.

Perhaps Hodgins will be the secret weapon who can help deliver the playoff-bound Giants their first postseason win since 2011.

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