Giants' Isaiah Hodgins compares Daniel Jones to Bills' Josh Allen
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins has compared quarterback Daniel Jones to Buffalo Bills star and perennial Most Valuable Player candidate Josh Allen.
"A lot of players used to call 'DJ' 'Baby Josh Allen,' that was kind of like the joke my rookie year," Hodgins said Friday during an appearance on the WFAN "Tiki and Tierney" program, per Lou DiPietro of Audacy. "I definitely see it; the way he can use his legs, which you saw more as the season went on, and how comfortable he was throwing on the run. That opens up the whole offense and makes the defense prepare for a whole different element. Combine that with his arm and his decision-making and prep, he’s got a lot of success coming his way."
The Bills spent a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to acquire Hodgins when they had Brian Daboll serving as their offensive coordinator. Daboll became Giants head coach in January 2022, and Hodgins joined Big Blue this past November.
Hodgins and Jones became fast friends. According to ESPN stats, Hodgins finished this past regular season third among New York wide receivers with 33 receptions, 42 targets, and 351 receiving yards which he tallied across eight games with the club. He also shared the team lead with four touchdown catches, and he found the end zone during the playoff win at the Minnesota Vikings:
Jones is set to hit free agency when the new league year opens next month. It's believed Giants general manager Joe Schoen will retain Jones' rights for 2023 via the franchise tag if the two sides don't come to terms on a contract.
"I would hope (he’s back); I’m not the GM, but I know a lot of players hope so," Hodgins said about his QB1 a day after the 24-year-old officially re-signed with the Giants. "He continues to get comfortable in the system – I know there are business decisions that have to be made, but I love him as a player and a person, and I’d love to keep working with him."
Earlier this month, Giants legend Tiki Barber likened Jones to Allen and said he believes Jones can soon become the NFC East's best overall quarterback working under Daboll. Hodgins didn't go that far but made it clear he'd like to continue catching passes thrown by Jones this coming fall.
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