*a series dedicated to profiling the players on the Giants’ roster. Know The Giant will be released daily from now until the start of the season. Up next: the other wide receivers who will battle it out to take the fifth/sixth wide receiver spots on the roster
Isaiah Hodgins
- Age: 25
- College: Oregon State
- Entering fourth season in NFL
- Joined Giants off the practice squad in 2022
- Played eight games in his first year in Big Blue, catching 33 balls for 351 yards and four touchdowns
Hodgins’ first season with the Giants was more than anyone could have predicted. He became a favorite target for Daniel Jones in 2022, bursting onto the scene in week 14 with an eight-catch, 89-yard performance with a touchdown. He had a touchdown in four of the last five regular-season games.
His postseason performance against the Vikings (eight catches, 105 yards, one touchdown) gave fans hope that the team found a diamond in the rough. Though 2023 saw him record just 21 catches for 230 yards and three touchdowns over a full season, the talent is there for Hodgins. He’s a red-zone threat because of his size (6’3″, 200 lbs). Though he may not be on the field as much, Hodgins could be a nice depth piece to have on the roster because we know what he can do when he is on the field.
Isaiah McKenzie
- Age: 29
- College: Georgia
- Entering eighth season in the league
- Joined Giants via free agency this offseason
One of the veteran names in this group, McKenzie has familiarity with GM Joe Schoen and HC Brian Daboll from their days in Buffalo. Now with the Giants, McKenzie will look to make himself worthy of a WR5 spot.
He’s never been a big touchdown machine (just 11 in his seven-year career thus far). His best season was in 2022 but had just 42 catches for 423 yards and four scores. Not very productive.
He’ll mostly be on the team for special teams purposes, including as a returner.
Allen Robinson II
- Age: 30
- College: Penn State
- Entering 11th season in the NFL
- Joined team via free agency this offseason
The oldest wideout on the team, the Giants will be Robinson’s fifth team in his career. A productive player in the past, he has struggled lately to replicate his old self.
2020 saw him record 102 catches for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns for the Chicago Bears. However, he’s only amassed four touchdowns, 1,029 yards, and 105 catches… In the past three seasons.
Recent history suggests he won’t be able to find himself even on this Giants team. The path to making the roster already looks dim with the talent ahead of him. The practice squad may be his last hope.
Gunner Olszewski (KR/PR For The Giants)
- Age: 27
- College: Bemidji State
- Entering sixth season in the NFL
- Joined Giants last season as a midseason pickup
Olszewski has scored just one receiving touchdown in his career (2020 with the New England Patriots). But, his role in the pros has been as a kick/punt returner. After impressing in his role for New York in 2023 (scored the team’s first punt return for a touchdown since 2015), he looks to do the same in 2024. If he makes the roster, it will be for this same reason (unless McKenzie takes over).
Other Giants Wideouts to Watch
- Miles Boykin– Former third-round pick of the Ravens and another former Steelers wideout. Caught seven touchdowns in his first two seasons in the NFL.
- Bryce-Ford Wheaton- intriguing second-year wide receiver who almost made the roster in 2023 had not for an ACL injury during the preseason. One underrated guy to watch.
- Ayir Asante- a big-play rookie wideout with exceptional speed. Similar to a Wan’Dale Robinson type of player.
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Featured Image: Luke Hales/Getty Images