*a series dedicated to profiling the players on the Giants’ roster. Know The Giant will be released daily from now until the start of the season. Up next: wide receiver Jalin Hyatt
Basic Information
- Age: 22
- College: Tennessee
- Experience: entering his second season in the NFL
- Drafted by the Giants in the third round in 2023
Career Statistics
- Appeared in all 17 games, but started in just seven of them.
- Targeted 40 times. Recorded 23 receptions for 373 yards.
- 2022 (last year at the University of Tennessee): 67 catches for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns.
- Best game: Week 12 vs. Patriots (five catches for 109 yards)
Overview
Drafted in the third round, the New York Giants saw Hyatt as a dangerous deep threat that can create big plays for this offense. The issue was actually pushing the ball down the field.
It was clear when Daniel Jones was under center, it was rare to see him connect with Hyatt down the field. Outside of that one play against the Arizona Cardinals, Hyatt never found much success at all with the former Duke quarterback.
However, there were times later in the year when Hyatt truly showed why he is someone who needs to be defended on deep plays.
Jalin Hyatt is always open pic.twitter.com/v09wQRyXjG
— More Important Issues (@More_Issues) November 26, 2023
I slowed this down and put it to music to illustrate how fucking effortless the speed of Jalin Hyatt is
— el Jefé (@JefePil) October 23, 2023
Look how hard the defender is working while 13 is out for a jog
I’m not sure if we have seen this guy go full throttle yet. There’s a slant to the house coming soon.. 💨… pic.twitter.com/CJrgfJAvrm
2024 Expectations
Outside of Malik Nabers (WR1) and Wan’Dale Robinson (slot), there isn’t much clarity about what role the rest of the wide receivers on the team will serve.
As of right now, Darius Slayton still is on the team. He’s been the team-leading receiver for four of the past five seasons. It could be easy to go ahead and slate him as the WR2.
But, then there’s Hyatt. Hyatt is a young, second-year wide receiver who deserves the opportunity to be opposite of Nabers on the outside. Slayton is likely on his way out after this season, and still could be trade bait.
Let’s go back to his college days for a second. In his sophomore year at Tennessee, he had a lackluster season (21/226/2 in 13 games). But, after having a big offseason, he came back and won the Biletnikoff Award (best WR) as a junior.
If that is any indication, plus Hyatt working on bulking up recently, the former Volunteer is ready to make a statement and show why he was a steal in the third round.
I don’t see him having a replica of a season like he did in 2023. Now, saying he’ll have a 1,000 receiving yards is a bit too far. But, it is possible. With the amount of time he got open last year, all New York needs to do is get him the football. If this offense wants to push the ball down the field and create big plays, he is the guy that will help do so.
JALIN HYATT WITH ONE HAND 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/bAmcjgJgau
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) May 31, 2024
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Featured Image: Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
