The Giants added one familiar face and one new face.
Wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins and offensive tackle Matt Nelson have agreed to undisclosed terms Thursday, the Giants announced.
Last week, the door to Hodgins’ return was left open after they failed to agree on a value before testing on the open market.
Hodgins could have remained as a restricted free agent on a one-year, $3 million deal, but that was too much for the Giants.
Hodgins’ seven touchdowns over the past two seasons were the second-most on a Giants team behind Saquon Barkley’s 17 with the Eagles.
Since being acquired from the Bills in November 2022, he has 54 catches for 581 yards in 25 games and has established chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones.
The biggest adjustment to the Giants’ receiver corps this offseason was trading Isaiah McKenzie (who had 11 catches for 82 yards in 13 games with the Colts last season) for Parris Campbell.
Campbell, who was rarely used (20 of 104 games last season), signed with the Eagles on Thursday.
So Hodgins, who had 105 yards receiving in the Giants’ only playoff win over the past 12 seasons, will return to a familiar cast centered around Darius Slayton, Jarrin Hiatt and Wan’Dale Robinson.
The Giants will likely target a receiver with one of their first three picks in the draft.
“What you have to realize about the business of the NFL is that the NFL is always trying to upgrade, always trying to bring in new people to make their teams better,” Hodgins said after last season. “They gave me the opportunity so I won’t be too sensitive.” [in 2022]”
Nelson spent his first five seasons with the Lions, appearing in 43 games as an undrafted rookie in 2019.
Eleven of his 14 career starts came in 2021, but he started two games at right tackle last September before being placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
The Giants are focused on upgrading their offensive line from top to bottom this offseason.
Starting guard Jon Runyan Jr., swingman Jermaine Elemunor and backups Aaron Stinney and Austin Schlottmann are also scheduled to play alongside Nelson.
Former first-round pick Evan Neal, who has been underwhelming for two seasons, is expected to start at right tackle.
But El Emnor and Nelson, who can also start at guard, are serious contenders.
