Bucky

Hodges

Hodges (6’6/257) turned pro as a redshirt junior after starting 37 games at Virginia Tech, amassing a career 133-1,747-20 (13.1 YPR) receiving line. Recruited as a quarterback, Hodges has caught passes for only three years. He is a freaky athlete, compiling a 21-89-1 (4.2 YPC) rushing line in college and posting 95th-percentile SPARQ results at the Combine with 4.57 speed and incredible vertical (39") and broad (11’2") jumps. More wideout than traditional tight end, Hodges has a long way to go as an in-line player. Still learning the position, Hodges will struggle to earn early NFL snaps.

Hodges is a great athlete for his size, running a 4.57 with a 39-inch vertical and 134-inch broad jump at 6-foot-6, 257 pounds, but he is about as raw as they come. Hodges is unlikely to make a fantasy impact this season, but he is a solid late-round flier in Dynasty rookie drafts.

Essentially a receiver in college, Hodges’ transition was always going to be slow, but he has apparently made strides as a blocker. “The thing I like about him is, for basically being a receiver, he goes in and blocks and tries to block and tries to get dirty with those guys,” coach Mike Zimmer said. Hodges is not going to make an impact as a rookie, but he is a name to watch in Dynasty.

The Vikings cut him to make room for Blake Bell, who was claimed off waivers from San Francisco. The sixth-round rookie needs time to adjust to tight end after mostly playing receiver at Virginia Tech. At 6'6/257, he certainly has the size to make that transition.

The Jets are taking fliers in free agency after losing Austin Seferian-Jenkins to the Jaguars. The No. 201 overall pick of last year’s draft by the Vikings, Hodges made zero Sunday appearances as a rookie.

That clears a roster spot for RB George Atkinson. A sixth-round pick of the Vikings last year, Hodges has yet to play an NFL snap.