Cynthia Frelund selects Isaiah Hodgins as Giants' 2023 sleeper pick
After being claimed off waivers in the middle of the 2022 campaign, wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins came on strong for the Giants towards the end of the season.
Hodgins caught a touchdown pass in four of his last five regular season games before adding another in the Wild Card win over the Vikings. Some in the media believe the young receiver could carry this momentum into the 2023 season.
NFL Network analytics expert Cynthia Frelund selected one player from each team who she believes is being overlooked around the league. When it came to the Giants, Hodgins was the pick.
"Full disclosure: I have a soft spot for Hodgins after spending two preseasons with the Bills and watching him work his tail off only to endure a series of injuries and spend the majority of his time with the organization as a member of the practice squad. When he finally landed a spot on the Giants' active roster -- reuniting with coach Brian Daboll -- I was thrilled for the kind young man who just wanted a real opportunity.
"He got one in the Big Apple and ran with it, establishing himself as a go-to target for Daniel Jones in the second half of last season and then catching eight passes for 105 yards and a touchdown in New York's playoff win at Minnesota. Per NGS, his 15.3 percent catch rate over expected when aligned wide ranked second-best in the NFL last season, while his 12.5 percent catch rate over expected when targeted down the seam ranked third."
In eight games (five starts) with the Giants last regular season, Hodgins reeled in 33 passes for 351 yards and the four scores. He then erupted for eight receptions for 105 yards and another touchdown against the Vikings during Wild Card Weekend.
Prior to joining the Giants, the 6-foot-3, 201-pound receiver totaled just four receptions for 41 yards in three games with the Buffalo Bills.
View the best photos from wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins' time with the Giants.
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) during a week 14 NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Monday, December 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Darren Waller (12)
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New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) during a week 14 NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Monday, December 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
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New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) runs with the ball against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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Isaiah Hodgins (18)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Duke Shelley (20) during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) catches a pass during second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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Isaiah Hodgins (18)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) is tackled by Detroit Lions safety DeShon Elliott (5) during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants' Isaiah Hodgins (18) celebrates with quarterback Daniel Jones (8) after Jones rushed for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Isaiah Hodgins catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Isaiah Hodgins (18) Mark Glowinski (64)
Jon Feliciano (76), Daniel Jones (8), Isaiah Hodgins (18), Mark Glowinski (64)
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New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday December 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
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Daniel Bellinger (82), Isaiah Hodgins (18)
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New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) during a NFL wild card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday January 15, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) makes a touchdown catch during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
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Isaiah Hodgins (18)
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Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) tackles New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) runs from Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) after catching a pass during second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) runs up field after catching a pass during second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) catches a pass while defended by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) during the second half of an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) is introduced before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Minnesota Vikings' Eric Kendricks tackles New York Giants' Isaiah Hodgins during the second half of an NFL wild card football game Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New York Giants' Isaiah Hodgins catches a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL wild card football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins, left, celebrates with a teammate after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Isaiah Hodgins (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) completes a pass to wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) dives past Indianapolis Colts' Zaire Franklin (44) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) runs during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, December 12, 2022 in Landover. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) runs with the ball against the Washington Commanders during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) runs a pass route during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
New York Giants' Isaiah Hodgins, right, catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) runs with the ball against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins reacts after catching a pass against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) scores a touchdown during a week 14 NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Monday, December 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
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New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) during a week 18 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, January 7, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
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New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) during a week 18 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, January 7, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) during a week 14 NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Monday, December 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
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WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Darren Waller (12)
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