Giants Trade Up to Land Receiver Jalin Hyatt in Third Round
The New York Giants continued their focus on adding to the offense during Day 2 of the NFL Draft by delivering yet another bold trade-up to get another asset for quarterback Daniel Jones.
This time, it was New York trading from Pick No. 89, their third-round pick, and sending Pick No. 128, their fourth-rounder, to the Rams for the right to jump up to No. 73. With that pick, the Giants selected wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, 6-foot, 175 pounds out of Tennessee.
Why the Giants Made the Move
As was the case in Round 2, the Giants are committed to surrounding quarterback Daniel Jones with as much talent as possible. And although the team started the draft with 13 receivers under contract, there was a big question mark as to how many, if any, were legitimate No. 1 candidates.
Jalin Hyatt could develop into that guy. Hyatt played most of his college snaps in the slot, but he was very productive there. Hyatt enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 in which he hauled in 71.5 percent of his pass targets for his first career 1,000-yard receiving season (1,267), averaging 18.9 yards per catch.
He boasts explosive acceleration and has shown the ability to do something we haven't really seen many Giants receivers do of late: separate deep down the field. Hyatt isn't a contested catch artist--he's only managed to snag six out of 13 contested catches over his career (46.2 percent), and he doesn't force a lot of broken tackles (12 in his career), but he's got deep speed which is what the league's cellar-dweller in explosive pass plays last season desperately needs.
Scouting Reports
Inside Football: Explosive deep receiver who also tracks the deep ball very well. (Think Desean Jackson.) Not a sophisticated route runner. Can square off routes but lacks positional maturity. Game is a bit raw. Hands aren’t natural. Lacks play strength. Could struggle against press. Great long speed creates space. Consistently explosive vertical threat. Sleek, greyhound-like frame. Also a weapon on slants.
Nick Falato: [See full scouting report here.] Jalin Hyatt is an elite athlete who is an excellent vertical threat and an explosive play-making talent. The 2022 Biletnikoff Award Winner combines elite separation skills with excellent competitive toughness as a blocker. He’s not the most complete wide receiver - there are areas of improvement, and he’s not the biggest guy in the world; despite those facts, his elite speed is so difference-making that his draft slot will likely be in the first round.
The NFL is predicated on creating explosive plays, and Hyatt will be able to do that in the NFL. His field stretching ability will force defenses to play his team in a specific manner, which could open up several opportunities for his offense. I don’t think he’s a pure one-trick pony, but he’s not complete as a receiver. Still, the “one-trick” he possesses is so impactful that it can foundationally change the team that decides to select him.
NFL Draft Bible: Hyatt is an elite vertical threat who offers some upside on schemed touches, but he’s a lean slot receiver who runs a limited route tree in an unconventional offense with an underdeveloped release package.
He plays with excellent foot speed, which helps him set up cuts in his routes and win against press coverage. The junior offers instant burst off the line of scrimmage with lethal acceleration to stack defensive backs.
His long strides and explosiveness help him quickly eliminate the defensive back’s cushion when he faces off coverage. Hyatt puts in effort blocking for wide receiver screens and run plays, but his lack of play strength prevents him from excelling in this role.
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