The New York Jets have signed tight end Bucky Hodges. Hodges is a 6’ 6”, 257 pound athletic freak of a player who plays more like a jumbo wide receiver than a tight end. He offers very little in the way of blocking skills.
Bucky Hodges was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 6th round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He was waived/injured by the Vikings in September, then cut a week later. Hodges was signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, then released in late October.
Hodges was a star of the 2016 NFL Combine, running a 4.57 40 yard dash, with a vertical jump of 39” and a long jump of 134”, absolutely insane numbers for a man his size. In three years of college at Virginia Tech Hodges amassed 133 catches for 1747 yards and 20 TDs. He was used more as a wide receiver than a tight end in college and rarely asked to block. With the Jets Hodges projects as a move tight end or jumbo wide receiver. Hodges was a converted quarterback and never played tight end until he got to Virginia Tech. His route running skills are sub-par, but with proper coaching his enormous physical gifts could conceivably make him a significant weapon.
The Jets continue to add depth to the tight end position. On Monday, the Jets claimed Clive Walford off waivers from the Raiders. Currently, the Jets also have Eric Tomlinson, Neal Sterling, Jordan Leggett and Chris Gragg as tight ends.
Hodges still has work to do as a route-runner and his inconsistent hands could be a concern. He can line up inside or outside while his size and ability to work all levels of the field should be appealing to teams looking for pass-catching options.
Hodges is an excellent blocker, has the ideal frame for a tight end at 6-foot-6, and has the ability to be a tremendous red zone threat.
There is no risk in this signing and the Jets are hoping that the injury woes are behind Hodges and he can develop into a next level tight end that he showed promise of at Virginia Tech.
