Should The Browns Have Kept KhaDarel Hodge?

Hodge had been with the Browns since 2019.

He was an undrafted free agent that started his career in 2018 with the Los Angeles Rams.

Hodge has started in only one of his 39 career games and has 273 career yards receiving.

In 2020, he played in 20% of the Browns special teams snaps.

With all of that being said, should the Browns have cut Hodge?

The answer is yes, and there are two main reasons why.

There are more talented rookies who made the roster.

While there is no doubt that Hodge is a talented player, his skill sets are covered by other players on the 2021 roster.

1. Anthony Schwartz

Schwartz is the speedy wide receiver who can also potentially be a special teams threat.

He has dealt with a hamstring injury during training camp and the preseason so we have not yet been exposed to what he can do.

2. Demetric Felton

Felton is a versatile player that can fill the role of running back, slot receiver, or special teams player.

He gives the Browns so many options; it is not clear if they know yet how many different ways they may use him in his rookie season.

One way that has been predetermined by Coach Stefanski is as kick returner.

Hodge’s Touchdown Against Atlanta

Many suspected that Hodge was on the bubble because of the deep Browns roster.

He certainly helped his cause on Sunday night with a touchdown catch in the Falcons preseason game.

Hodge also knew the deck was not stacked in his favor.

Dollars And Sense

The thought process behind cutting Hodge is even easier to understand when the financial impact of it is discussed.

An annual salary of $2.13 million for WR6 and a special teams player is pretty steep.

If Hodge does not end up at another team and the Browns are able to bring him back, it would be at a much reduced rate.

Given the salary cap situation and contract extensions yet to be negotiated, cutting Hodge, though a painful decision, made perfect sense.