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With their second pick in the sixth round at No. 207 overall, the Bufalo Bills tabbed 6-foot-4, 210-pound Oregon State receiver Isaiah Hodgins as their selection. Another big boy out wide for quarterback Josh Allen.
At this juncture of the draft, special teams become a significant part of the equation, and Hodgins will need to impress the coaching staff in that phase of the game to stick in a crowded receiver room since Buffalo already drafted Gabriel Davis in the fourth round of th draft.
Hodgins’ junior season was fantastic, securing 86 receptions for 1,171 yards and 13 touchdowns. He leaves school with 176 career receptions, which ranked sixth for a career at Oregon State, and his 2,322 receiving yards is good for seventh all-time.
He is an above-average route runner and refined receiver in many respects, but struggles against the press and creating separation on a consistent basis. His 4.61 40-yard dash time is a concern as well.
Hodgins’ balls skills, hands, and body control are outstanding, though. He can make the unbelievable catch and even the contested catches look easy. He uses his size to his advantage near the goal line boxing out defenders and winning with quick slants. That’s something the Bills have lacked in recent years.
So where does he fit with the Bills? Hodgins will need to impress on special teams to solidify a roster spot, as mentioned. This is a crowded group with well-established starters. However, Hodgins is a great value this late in the draft and offers promising traits to make his mark on the roster. With this larger frame and big catch radius, he could develop a nice chemistry with Allen.
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