The difference between New York Giants receivers Kenny Golladay and Isaiah Hodgins is significant; just look at their production over the past few weeks to determine which player is offering the most. Golladay has been riding the bench for the most part of the season, collecting a monstrous amount of money to do so.
In fact, it is more than likely that Golladay will be cut after the 2022 season concludes, in which the Giants would save about $6.7 million. If they cut him post-June 1, they will save $13.5 million, but that would push more money into the future, which might be advisable if the team is looking to spend big in free agency this upcoming off-season.
Nonetheless, Golladay has only caught four receptions for 51 yards this year after accruing 521 yards during his first season with the Giants. After posting a 48.7% catch rate in 2021, he’s caught only 40% of his 10 targets this year, mostly acting as a decoy.
On the other hand, Hodgins has been electric after being plucked off the Buffalo Bills practice squad about nine weeks ago. At 24 years old, he’s quickly making a name for himself with the Giants, developing chemistry with Daniel Jones at an astronomical pace.
Kenny Golladay’s stats since being a Giant:
- 25 games
- 571 yards
- 0 TDs
- 44.35% catch rate
Isaiah Hodgins’s stats since being a Giant:
- 8 games
- 351 yards
- 4 TDs
- 78.6% catch rate
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The New York Giants view Isaiah Hodgins as an essential piece:
Considering Hodgins is earning just $705K in base salary and Golladay earned $13 million, it is crazy to look at the comparable statistics. Hodgins has already accrued 351 yards and four scores with a 78.6% catch rate. Standing at 6’4″ and 210 pounds, they have eerily similar frames, but the second-year player out of Oregon St. provides better hands and much better route running.
Head coach Brian Daboll and coordinator Mike Kafka have continuously given Isaiah more opportunities and taken bigger risks down field. He’s earned the chance to become a focal point on offense, and the unit has gotten better because of it. In fact, in the Giants’ win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17, Hodgins finished with 42 yards and a touchdown. He was coming off an eight-catch performance for 89 yards and a score against Minnesota’s veteran corner, Patrick Peterson.
The team expects to keep Hodgins around for the foreseeable future, and at an extremely cheap price tag, he has the opportunity to build a nice role for himself, especially with the Giants expecting to extend Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley.