Browns: 4 fan favorite back up players who may not make the team
By Chad Porto
KhaDarel Hodge
KhaDarel Hodge wasn’t a bad player when he got his limited action with the Browns in 2020. He played for the Browns the last two years, and spent most of 2019 as a gunner on special teams, but in 2020 he actually got action in nine games. He only netted 100+ yards receiving for the entire season but when he was targetted, he made the most of his opportunities.
The problem with Hodge comes from the fact that the Browns have a proverbial shmorgishborg of talent at the position. Now, like D’Ernest Johnson, Hodge may be someone that ends up on the practice squad just in case someone (*cough Odell Beckham cough*) were to get hurt. After all, Hodge knows the system, he knows the plays and he did a solid job stepping in at times in 2020 in limited work. No one is suggesting Hodge could replace Beckham’s production but Hodge could do some damae if given the chance.
The problem is the NFL isn’t the Majors. These players are given a small window to make someone notice them until the shiny new rookie comes in eventually and ruins the potential. If the NFL had a developmental league that ran in lockstep with the NFL, guys like Hodge would have more time to show what they could do but that’s not the case and that means Hodge has a higher and steaper mountain to climb than most.
It just doesn’t feel like Hodge has enough going for him to warrant a spot on the team. He’s not a return man, and short of him making the special team’s unit again, it looks like Hodge could be one of the final guys on the chopping block.