Wide Receiver – Tennessee
6’0 185 lbs
3rd Round (73rd Overall) – New York Giants
Jalin Hyatt finally heard his name called early in the third round. The reigning Biletnikoff award winner, the Nation’s most outstanding wide receiver, went one pick ahead of Tennessee teammate Cedric Tillman. Hyatt was one of many wide receivers who heard his name on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. As for being a Biletnikoff winner, Hyatt was the first wide receiver since 2018 not drafted in the first round.
While Hyatt had a mediocre freshman and sophomore season, he broke out in 2022. Hyatt led the Volunteers with 67 receptions for 1,267 yards and an astonishing 15 touchdowns. If it wasn’t for Tillman’s injury, many may wonder if we would have seen the same version of Hyatt.
In fact, Hyatt’s breakout came early in the season as he had five receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Furthermore, Hyatt would go on a four-week tear against LSU, Alabama, UT-Martin, and Kentucky. During that time Hyatt had 22 receptions for 582 yards and 11 touchdowns. Additionally, his most memorable game was against then-undefeated Alabama where he had six receptions for 207 yards and five touchdowns. This game alone boosted him into the spotlight to be a legitimate NFL prospect.
Early through the NFL Draft process, many were putting Hyatt as high as a late-first-round pick. While many saw the wheels he had, he was looking to run somewhere in the 4.3’s at the 2023 NFL Combine. However, that didn’t happen as he ran a 4.4 40-yard dash. Although that’s still fast, many were holding hope he would do better based on his size.
Obviously, there were and probably still are many questions about Hyatt’s game. One is why the Junior year breakout. Another is he played slot at Tennessee and ran a simple route tree. Can he run complex routes and possibly move to the outside?
Now, the New York Giants saw something in Hyatt and took him over the likes of fellow teammate Tillman and North Carolina standout Josh Downs.
Fantasy Football Outlook
During NFL free agency, the New York Giants went out and signed slot receivers Parris Campbell and Jamison Crowder to add to their depth of slot receivers. Add to that Hyatt and you have a bunch of slot wide receivers on one team. One way to look at this though is you have a crowded wide-receiver room.
However, with Daniel Jones’ new contract, it was always the plan to get him more weapons. That’s exactly what there is and now Hyatt just needs to make a push for himself. Even with the higher draft capital, Hyatt can be left on the fantasy waiver wire with the possibility to be added if he can break onto the field. Given the opportunity ahead of him, there’s certainly a chance that Hyatt could be relevant this year.
Dynasty Outlook
Two years in a row the New York Giants have used Day 2 capital at the wide receiver position. Last year, it was on Wan’Dale Robinson. Not to mention, they also spent a 1st Round pick on Kadarius Toney. However, Hyatt has that deep-field speed and can take the ball to the house anytime.
The Giants could look different as soon as the 2023 season and for sure by the 2024 season. Furthermore, Hyatt could be a fun-ceiling boom/bust WR3 in fantasy football. According to our Faceoff 1QB and Superflex average draft position (ADP), Hyatt is going as a late-2nd round pick. Overall, this is a solid landing spot from a long-term perspective and Hyatt will certainly have a great opportunity ahead of him.
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