KhaDarel

Hodge

Hodge has spent the last two years with the Falcons, totaling 27 receptions for 434 yards and one touchdown over that span. The veteran receiver is little more than a depth signing at this point and may need to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster in training camp. In addition to Hodge, the Falcons also re-signed offensive lineman Storm Norton, who has started 21 games in his five-year career.

KhaDarel Hodge finishes the 2023 season third among Falcons’ receivers with 232 receiving yards on 14 catches. He saw just 22 targets all season, so his role certainly wasn’t a large one, but he did have three catches for over 20 yards and averaged 16.6 yards per catch, so he performed when he was asked. Like most receivers in Atlanta, Hodge is set to become a free agent, so his fantasy value will depend on where he lands but considering his 232 yards this season were a career-high, it’s unlikely he will become a fantasy asset regardless of where he ends up.

London didn’t practice last week and was sidelined for the Falcons’ Week 9 loss to the Vikings. A Wednesday practice strongly suggests London will be back in Week 10 against the Cardinals. In his absence, KhaDarel Hodge led the Falcons in targets and air yards. Hodge would be a viable fantasy play if London can’t suit up against Arizona.

With Drake London battling a minor groin issue, Hodge saw more run than usual. The majority of his production came on a 52-yard catch-and-run where he shed some tackles. Good stuff, though Hodge had previously yet to reach 20 yards or clear two receptions this season. He can remain safely ignored on waiver wires even if London is forced to miss time.

“Offense, Specials Teams, anything you need from KhaDarel Hodge” the Falcons Twitter account promoted while announcing the signing. The choice to trumpet his versatility gives away the game a bit. Hodge, 28, is a journeyman fantasy non-factor and scored the first offensive touchdown of his career last season. His career-high for targets in a season is 27.

As Kendall points out in his article over on The Athletic, Zaccheaus was second on the team in receiving (40-533-3) and was heralded by wide receivers coach T.J. Yates as being “an extremely unselfish guy”. In four seasons with the Falcons, Zaccheaus has seen steady improvement every year, with his 2022 numbers all being career-highs. Zaccheaus should come at a relatively low cost, and would leave the Falcons with plenty of space to add another receiver. Kendall also believes the team will re-sign KhaDarel Hodge, who led the team with nine special teams tackles.

Hodge, 27, has spent his four pro seasons bouncing around with the Rams, Browns, and Lions, catching a total of 30 passes for 430 scoreless yards in 55 games while being a key cog on special teams. He’s the Falcons’ first addition at wideout this offseason despite losing Calvin Ridley to a yearlong suspension and Russell Gage in free agency.

Hodge, who was claimed off waivers from the Browns, accepted a pay cut from his non-guaranteed $2.1 million salary. The fourth-year receiver will play under a $920K base salary in Detroit.

It is a sensible flier for the receiver desperate Lions, though 26-year-old Hodge is probably still most likely to contribute on special teams. He has 17 career receptions. Hodge does not change the calculus if you are sifting through the Lions’ post-Breshad Perriman receiver corps for fliers.

Hodge, a special teamer and rotational receiver who signed a one-year, $2.14 million deal with Cleveland in May, couldn’t crack the 53-man roster but is a candidate to land on the team’s practice squad. Hodge caught 11 passes across nine games as a 25-year-old last season and had a fine 2021 preseason, catching four balls for 63 yards and two touchdowns.