Bills GM reveals why WR Isaiah Hodgins got away
As the Buffalo Bills look to retool their wide receiver room in 2023, one has to wonder what could have been if the team had held onto Isaiah Hodgins.
The 24-year-old former sixth-round pick was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants early in the year and played his way into a new one-year, $870,000 contract, but Bills general manager Brandon Beane admitted Tuesday at the NFL Combine the team’s decision to part ways with Hodgins had little to do with his ability as a pass catcher.
“If you look back with us, in the preseason, Isaiah the last two preseasons made a lot of great plays for us,” Beane said. “It’s a numbers game, and so, unfortunately you’ve got to figure out who you can get active and Isaiah not making our roster was more of a special teams thing than wide receiver. But love who he is and enjoyed watching his success up there with Brian (Daboll) and wish him nothing but the best.”
Hodgins played in two regular season games for Buffalo, recording four receptions for 41 yards. He was claimed by the Giants on Nov. 2 and saw action in eight games after that, totaling 33 receptions on 42 targets for 351 yards and four touchdowns.
The 24-year-old wideout found postseason success as well, finishing as the Giants leading receiver in their 31-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC wildcard round of the playoffs (eight receptions, 105 yards, one touchdown).
Despite playing in only eight games, Hodgins still finished tied for the team lead in touchdowns, and he ranked third in yards and fourth in receptions. With Richie James, Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard all free agents, Hodgins may have a legitimate claim to be New York’s No. 1 wideout in 2023.
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