The New York Giants and general manager Joe Schoen got aggressive on Friday night. And shortly after landing their new starting center, they traded up in Round 3 to snag Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.
The addition of Hyatt provides the Giants with a DeSean Jackson-like deep threat who can take the top off of defenses. Why he fell is unclear but despite the value at No. 73, not everyone was impressed.
Here is how experts from around the league graded the Giants’ selection of Hyatt:
The Sporting News: A+
What The Sporting News had to say:
The Giants had a desperate need for a big-play wide receiver to help Daniel Jones and Hyatt is the ideal vertical threat in the offense of Mike Kafka and Brian Daboll. This is a steal of a pick on a strong Day 2 for New York.
Pro Football Focus: Good
What Pro Football Focus had to say:
Hyatt won the Biletnikoff Award as the top wide receiver in college football, averaging 18.9 yards per reception and scoring 15 touchdowns. He is a burner on the outside that needs some refinement but has all the athletic ability necessary to excel at the next level. Hyatt’s 40-yard dash, vertical and broad jump were all above the 85th percentile. The Giants add a much-needed outside weapon for QB Daniel Jones.
Bleacher Report: C
What Bleacher Report had to say:
Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt emerged as the nation’s best wide receiver and captured the Biletnikoff Award after his breakout campaign, in which the unanimous All-American led the SEC with 1,267 receiving yards and 15 touchdown grabs.
According to Pro Football Focus, he generated the highest quarterback rating (153.6) when targeted last season.
But the 176-pound Hyatt is primarily viewed as a vertical speedster. His 2022 average of 18.9 yards per reception led all receivers with 55 or more catches. To be fair, Tennessee’s system is predicated on creating vertical opportunities for its targets. In some ways, it’s overly simplified in its approach, hence why Hyatt isn’t viewed as a complete target.
CBS Sports: B+
What CBS Sports had to say:
Burner who actually plays faster than his 40 time of 4.40. I like adding another field-stretcher to this team for Daniel Jones. He’ll lighten boxes for Saquon Barkley. Doesn’t have a well-rounded game now and is not great after the catch. This is about the right position in the draft for him to land.
The Athletic: A-
What The Athletic had to say:
If the Giants were looking for a downfield burner — think Desean Jackson — they found him in Hyatt. He ran a 4.40 at the combine, but his acceleration dwarfs that time. Hyatt had 20 catches of 20-plus yards — seven receptions of 50-plus yards — and led the nation in virtually every deep ball category.
Last season Hyatt (6-0, 176) caught 67 passes (89 targets) for 1,267 yards and a school-record 15 touchdowns at 18.9 yards per catch. He won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver and became the 13th unanimous All-American in Tennessee history.
Hyatt played about 89 percent of his snaps from the slot and was a mismatch against virtually every defender. He caught five touchdown passes against Alabama in a last-second victory. Although Hyatt is unrefined and raw, his speed will make him a weapon every time he takes the field.
Walter Football: A+
What Walter Football had to say:
I can’t wait to hear from Charlie Campbell about why Jalin Hyatt fell so far. Hyatt is a somewhat poor man’s DeVonta Smith, so he should have gone much earlier than this. I wouldn’t have hated it had he been chosen late in the opening round. Hyatt is going to fill a huge need.
Pro Football Network: A
What Pro Football Network had to say:
The Giants certainly have a type at wide receiver. Parris Campbell and Isaiah Hodgins both have some size, but the rest of their depth chart is undersized. Jalin Hyatt is the only one that is a pure, unadulterated speed threat, which was a massive need for New York.
Hyatt has an extra gear from any other receiver in this draft class. He won’t be a dangerous runner after the catch consistently. However, he’s a great fit to use as a slot receiver who creates space offensively with his speed, opening the middle of the field for Campbell and Hodgins.
Sports Illustrated: A-
What Sports Illustrated had to say:
The Giants desperately needed to upgrade their receivers, and they did so with the selection of Hyatt. The Tennessee product was thought by some to be a first-round talent, but he slid to the third perhaps because he was a one-year wonder. After 41 catches and 502 yards in his first two years with the Volunteers, Hyatt exploded for 67 receptions, 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.
Yahoo! Sports: B
What Yahoo! Sports had to say:
This is the right range for Hyatt, who is a deep threat. Hyatt can help stretch the Giants’ passing game in Year 2 under head coach Brian Daboll. He’s limited, but that’s fine in this range.
