Yes, the New York Giants signed a free-agent wide receiver.
No, it’s not former Giants star Odell Beckham Jr.
The Giants tweeted Thursday “We have signed WR Isaiah Hodgins, who was set to become an exclusive rights free agent.”
New York claimed the 24-year-old Hodgins off waivers from the Buffalo Bills in November. The second-year wide receiver played in eight regular-season games for the Giants, making five starts. He pulled down 33 receptions for 351 yards and four touchdowns.
Hodgins’ best game with the Giants came at the best time, collecting a team-high eight receptions for 105 yards and one touchdown in the 31-24 wild-card win over the Minnesota Vikings.
The Giants’ wide receiver depth chart was decimated during the regular season, with ACL injuries to Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson. Draft bust Kadarius Toney was shipped to the Kansas City Chiefs (and promptly won a Super Bowl ring) while failed free-agent signing Kenny Golladay was MIA, forcing quarterback Daniel Jones to rely on Hodgins, Darius Slayton and Richie James down the stretch.
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Speaking of Shepard, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reports the receiver has hit the free-agent market.
When Sterling Shepard took a pay cut last offseason, his new contract included an automatic void three days after the Super Bowl. So he becomes a free agent today. The Giants will carry a $4.3M dead money charge for Shepard in 2023. Shepard doesn’t figure to have much of a market as he recovers from a torn ACL, so there could be appeal for both sides to bring him back to the Giants when he’s healthy.
General manager Joe Schoen has been a busy man this week. In addition to re-signing Hodgins, the Giants have re-upped offensive lineman Jack Anderson and tight end Lawrence Cager, both of whom were slated to be exclusive rights free agents.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.