Tennessee's Jalin Hyatt (11) makes the catch in stride for a touchdown during a game between Tennessee and Alabama in Neyland Stadium, on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Tennesseevsalabama1015 2258
Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel
(New York, NY) — The Athletic’s Dan Duggan writes it’s “hard to see a substantial role immediately” for Giants rookie wideout Jalin Hyatt. The reasons are numerous, he says.
Behind a “crowd of veterans at wide receiver” and the “need for him to develop his all-around skill set,” the obstacles for Hyatt are steep. Duggan does believe that Hyatt will be a threat, but acknowledged he was a polarizing pick for Big Blue in speaking to executives and coaches.
Duggan adds Hyatt’s “subpar times” in the three-cone drill and short shuttle “amplified concerns that he lacks the agility to develop into a well-rounded route runner”.
“Questions are going to be the strength, and the kid is interesting,” said an anonymous executive to the Athletic. “He’s just young, little squirrelly, maybe a little naïve. I don’t know if he totally gets it as far as being a pro.”
“He was a one-year producer for a reason,” added the executive. “He struggled to make an impact until this last season.”
One coach said “I think that’s what they’re looking for, just someone to stretch the field a little bit,” the coach said. “They have a couple of speed guys, but (Darius) Slayton doesn’t really stretch the field.”
He concludes that there likely will be sporadic production as a rookie, but it will be a boost for the Giants if Hyatt’s big-play ability is able to translate quickly.
Regardless, the third-round pick figures to play a role for this offense at some juncture.