New York Giants receiver Jalin Hyatt was drafted to open up the offense with his elite speed and knack for making big plays downfield. Through his own inconsistencies and poor quarterback play, he stumbled through his rookie season and face-plant in Year 2.
Subsequently, Hyatt is all but out of New York’s long-term plans. Re-signing receiver Darius Slayton for three seasons maintains Hyatt’s ceiling as the fourth receiver on this roster.
As things stand, Hyatt is enduring a left-tailed outcome for a Day 2 pick, and if he struggles in 2025, it would be awfully difficult to save him a roster spot ahead of a contract year. Hyatt plans on changing the narrative on his career, and that starts at OTAs, where he has impressed with veteran Russell Wilson under center.
The Giants’ receiver sent a message to his critics in a now-deleted tweet.
“I hold grudges .. I ain’t forget.”
Hyatt’s 2024 season went about as poorly as a healthy campaign can go. He was at his best replacing Slayton for one game, but ultimately finished with just eight catches and 62 yards in 16 games. He is yet to find the end zone as a professional.
Still, Hyatt possesses upside as a field stretcher, and that meshes well with Wilson, whose “moon balls” have kept him potent past his prime. He spoke about his growing rapport with the receiving corps at OTAs.
“The time we spent in the offseason has paid off,” he told reporters. "The time that they've worked in their walkthroughs, all the way to how they've approached that to, obviously, our approach in practice.
“And the speed that they play with. You saw Slayton catch that bomb today, I threw it to him, and just his ability to make plays down the field.
“Jalin, I'm really excited about him and what he's done so far.”
Connecting with Wilson could earn Hyatt the playing time he needs to let his tools win. Head coach Brian Daboll consistently preached being aggressive ahead of the 2024 season, suggesting that he’ll unleash Wilson now that he has a passer he can trust.
Wilson is always positive, especially when praising his teammates. But that doesn’t mean it’s all smoke. Hyatt will have the opportunity to earn his quarterback’s confidence and push for playing time this summer. So far, he’s gotten off to a hot start.
“I think Jalin Hyatt, he's a guy that I really believe in.”