The wide receiver market got a little bit deeper as NFL free agency officially began after the New York Giants opted not to tender Isaiah Hodgins.
According to a report from ESPN’s Giants insider Jordan Raanan, the Giants will let the 25-year-old test the market rather than use the restricted free-agent level tender.
WR Isaiah Hodgins is not expected to be tendered as a restricted free agent and will hit the open market, per source.
The 25-year-old showed major promise upon joining the Giants midway through 2022, when he had 351 yards receiving and four touchdowns in eight games. pic.twitter.com/HFiucOP5Zv
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) March 13, 2024
Hodgins carved out a niche in the New York Giants’ passing game over the past three seasons, catching 58 passes for 622 yards with seven touchdowns. During a 2022 season that was wildly inconsistent for the New York Giants’ offense, Hodgins was a bright spot in the passing game.
Despite the Giants’ quarterback situation being in a state of flux last season, following Daniel Jones suffering a season-ending injury and Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito each playing significant snaps, New York quarterbacks logged a stellar 118 passer rating when targeting Hodgins, according to Pro Football Focus.
New York Giants Wide Receiver Depth Chart Update
Hodgins became expendable when the New York Giants agreed to terms with former Buffalo Bills standout Isaiah McKenzie during the legal tampering period.
Here is a best-guess projection for what the New York Giants wide receiving corps will look like when the season kicks off in 2024:
1. Darius Slayton
2. Wan’Dale Robinson
3. Jalin Hyatt
4. Isaiah McKenzie
5. Gunner Olszewski
There is also the possibility that the New York Giants prioritize selecting a wide receiver in the early rounds of the NFL Draft.
Likewise, Robinson is a prime candidate as a possible breakout star, after catching 60 of his 78 targets for 525 yards and a touchdown while flashing game-altering speed in his second NFL season during the 2023 campaign.