Giants WR Jalin Hyatt could be in store for monster rookie season

Jalin Hyatt put the NFL world on notice with a brilliant debut for the New York Giants on Friday. Could this be the start of a breakout for the Tennessee Volunteer product?

The New York Giants surprised many fans around the NFL when they qualified for the 2022 postseason in Year 1 of the Brian Daboll era. Quarterback Daniel Jones played well enough to secure a long-term deal from the franchise, but Daboll’s crafty game planning deserves its fair share of praise.

Will the wide receivers stay healthy for the Giants in 2023?

One clear weakness on the roster last season was the pass-catching group. The good news for Big Blue Nation? The Giants made a concerted effort to upgrade the unit this offseason. Tight end Darren Waller came over in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, giving Danny Dimes a reliable player to pair with youngster Daniel Bellinger.

At wide receiver, general manager Joe Schoen signed former Indianapolis Colt, Parris Campbell. The Ohio State alum is a pure blazer with 4.3 speed, but injuries have stunted his development in the league. Hopefully, he remains healthy in 2023 because his speed is a game-changer.

Speaking of track star speed, Jalin Hyatt has entered the chat. After winning the Biletnikoff Award in his final season at Tennessee, concerns regarding his route tree and frame caused a drastic tumble down the draft board. The No. 73 overall pick is bound and determined to prove that NFL teams overthought it.

Jalin Hyatt ready to prove doubters wrong In Year 1

So far, Hyatt has been un-guardable at Giants training camp. He is flexing a better understanding of finding the open area as a route runner. His straight-line speed is otherworldly, but the suddenness he possesses stands out to me the most.

The Volunteer product creates separation with ease from the slot, and pairing him with Brian Daboll is a recipe for success as a rookie. The rest of the receiver room is compiled of steady veteran Darius Slayton, the always underrated Isaiah Hodgins, the oft-injured Sterling Shepard, and last year’s second-round pick Wan’Dale Robinson (among others).

To say Daboll and Co. are begging for a No. 1 option to emerge early in the season would be an understatement. Perhaps it is Waller who becomes Daniel Jones’ favorite target. He caught three passes for 30 yards in his Giants debut Friday night. But if this offseason is any indication, Jalin Hyatt could be in store for a run at the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Brian Daboll is the perfect play saller for Hyatt

Few wideouts in the league match his in-game speed. If his hands continue to develop and he introduces even more routes to his game, the world is his oyster. Hyatt has the traits necessary to be a star. And even more importantly, he has an avenue to a heavy dose of targets in Year 1.

I am not predicting Hyatt to be the best rookie wide receiver. But if we look up in January and he has the best numbers, it wouldn’t be particularly shocking. We’ll see what Jones, Daboll, and their new weapon can cook up.