2020 NFL Draft: Favorite prospects for the Tennessee Titans in first five rounds
By Brady Akins
Round Five: Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State
Full disclosure on this pick, my love of Isaiah Hodgins might be coming from a place of bias.
I’ve watched every game that Hodgins played in his junior season in college, and oftentimes in person, as a student at Oregon State. But having watched him put up big numbers time and time again in person, I feel comfortable saying that this kid can play better than his combine results would suggest.
Hodgins’ 4.6 time in the 40-yard dash is going to make some NFL scouts hesitant of his ability to play, but the Oregon State receiver has shown elite separation skills through a solid first step and some high-end route running.
Hodgins got open often in college, and thank goodness for Oregon State that he did. The Beavers’ receiver put up stretches, and even full games during his college career, where was essentially the team’s only reliable option on offense. He has multiple games, in just his junior season alone, with over 120 yards receiving and multiple touchdowns.
As his impressive box scores and low drop rate might tell you, Hodgins was more than reliable for the Beavers in his college days. He might be held back in college by his speed, but Hodgins has proven he doesn’t need blazing quickness to get open. He’s one of the most sure-handed, technically sound prospects in this deep receiving class, and he might fall into a Day Three pick.