Draft Profile: Isaiah Hodgins

February 16, 2020 /
  • Height: 6’4″
  • Weight: 209lb
  • College: Oregon State
  • Tape watched: Oklahoma State, Oregon (2018)
  • NFL Comparison: Brandon LaFell

Pros

  • Catch Radius
    More lanky than big, Hodgins has an excellent catch radius. His long arms pluck balls out of the air and he erased plenty of accuracy issues from his quarterbacks at Oregon State. He can be a true jump-ball receiver, which makes him valuable on back shoulder throws and in the redzone.
  • Combat Catches
    Hodgins took a lot of shots across the middle of the field. He also caught most of his contested catch situations. His game is best played above the rim and on the boundary, where he can use his 6’4″ frame to box out smaller defenders. Hodgins is battle tested and can be trusted to make difficult catches in traffic.
  • Route Running
    A double-move savant, Hodgins sets up defenses with quick footwork, head fakes, and change in direction. He runs crisp routes, but is best kept on a vertical plane at the next level. Hodgins struggles to change speeds in and out of route breaks, but gets up to speed quickly.
  • Blocking
    Hodgins seals corners in the run game well. With his usage in the slot, teams may move him up their draft board due to his respect of the run game.

Cons

  • Speed/Quickness
    Lather, rinse, repeat. Hodgins struggles to separate from cornerbacks much like every other big receiver in the draft. He might need to be schemed open at the NFL level, as most of his production was in contested situations.

    His burst and lack of playmaking hamstrings his use as well. He plays at one speed and doesn’t create a lot of run-after-catch situations.

Overview

Isaiah Hodgins dominated PAC-12 defenders in 2019. With 86 catches, over 1,100 yards, and 13 touchdowns, Hodgins has proven he can be extremely productive in the right system. He was top 20 in the FBS in each of those categories.

Great at the catch-point, Hodgins can produce for any team. His usage may be limited due to his speed and agility, but he more than makes up for it with his hands, blocking, and toughness. A big-slot role may maximize his potential.