Jalin Hyatt-WR-Tennessee
Welcome to the rookie profile for Jalin Hyatt. Jalin Hyatt’s explosive performance in the 2022 season has put him on the map as the top deep threat in college football, drawing comparisons to last year’s first-round pick Jameson Williams. Hyatt’s speed and explosiveness make him a valuable asset in any NFL offense, and he is expected to go early on in the NFL draft.
Measurables
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 276 lbs
Age: 21
40-yard dash: 4.40s
3-cone drill: DNP
20-yard shuttle: DNP
Vertical Jump: 40″
Broad Jump: 11-3
Bench Press: DNP
*age is at the start of player’s rookie year
College Stats
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2020 | Tennessee | SEC | FR | WR | 8 | 20 | 276 | 13.8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 | 21 | 279 | 13.3 | 2 |
| *2021 | Tennessee | SEC | SO | WR | 9 | 21 | 226 | 10.8 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 0 | 22 | 236 | 10.7 | 2 |
| *2022 | Tennessee | SEC | JR | WR | 12 | 67 | 1267 | 18.9 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 68 | 1267 | 18.6 | 15 |
| Career | Tennessee | 108 | 1769 | 16.4 | 19 | 3 | 13 | 4.3 | 0 | 111 | 1782 | 16.1 | 19 | ||||
Notable Headlines
Scouting Report
Positives
Negatives
Despite his impressive 2022 season, Hyatt has limited tape and has yet to prove himself over multiple seasons. His performance prior to 2022 was relatively average, and he will need to improve his ability to read and exploit zone coverage at the next level. Additionally, his route tree is limited, and he will need time to adjust to a more complex pro-style offense.
Hyatt has mostly played from the slot position, where he has been sheltered from press coverage. As a result, he may struggle to translate his deep-threat abilities to the NFL, where he will be expected to run a wider variety of routes. While he has shown impressive quickness off the line of scrimmage, his slender frame and lack of play strength have left him vulnerable to getting knocked off course by physical defenders. Furthermore, Hyatt lacks deception in his intermediate routes, and he has had difficulty holding his ground when contested for catches (although he often does come up with the ball if he can get his hands on it).
Given Tennessee’s scheme provided him with many free releases, he will need to work on improving his ability to get open against top-level cornerbacks.
Pre Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital- Round 1
Landing Spots
Jalin Hyatt is a 5’10”-6’1″ and sub-190-pound wide receiver who exploded onto the national scene in 2022 as the premier deep threat in college football, much like DeSean Jackson, Will Fuller, and Jameson Williams before him. While Hyatt has the potential to join their esteemed group, his tape is limited to one season and he must improve his ability to sit down against zone coverage and run a more diverse route tree. Despite this, Hyatt’s explosive athletic profile, vertical receiving skill set, and ball skills have made him impossible to stop as a deep threat in college. Although he risks being viewed as a one-trick pony in the pros, his speed and proven downfield ability make him a top prospect for teams seeking an outside Z receiver who can stretch the field and take pressure off the No. 1. Hyatt’s long speed, elite athleticism, and proven track record of big plays make him a first-round consideration in the 2023 NFL draft. I predict seeing him in Baltimore or with the Giants.
Post Draft Analysis
New York Giants - Round 3, Pick 10
Landing Spot
Jalin Hyatt, joining the New York Giants as the 73rd overall pick in the NFL Draft, brings his Biletnikoff award-winning talent to a wide receivers group that could use his athletic skills. His potential to excel in preseason and training camp might see him garner increased playing time quickly, given the Giants’ need for solid contributors in this area. Injuries to other players, such as Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, also open opportunities for Hyatt to step up.
Being part of a division that houses formidable defensive backs necessitates a potent deep threat to maintain offensive balance. Hyatt’s capabilities position him to serve this role effectively. Given his athletic prowess, it may not be long before this South Carolina native begins to make a significant impact on game days for the Giants. As rookies get set for Mini-Camp, Hyatt is one to watch, ready to make his mark on the vibrant New York scene.
Fantasy Impact
In 2022, the New York Giants significantly lacked in producing explosive pass plays. This deficit is precisely what they aim to address with Jalin Hyatt, who brought a dynamic spark to college football last season, culminating in him securing the title of college football’s finest receiver. However, transitioning from Josh Heupel’s collegiate offense to the NFL does present certain risks, as history shows a somewhat lackluster record of receivers making such a switch. Opportunities abound for Hyatt to garner a sizable target share, with only Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton, and Parris Campbell ahead of him on the depth chart. Furthermore, Wan’Dale Robinson’s return from an ACL injury leaves room for Hyatt to make his mark.
While Darren Waller is expected to dominate the middle-field targets, Hyatt’s propensity for vertical plays could be a boon for Daniel Jones, encouraging him to increase his downfield throw percentage. In this scenario, Hyatt might turn out to be a late-round treasure in redraft leagues. That being said, his physicality, size, and route-running skills may need enhancement before he can become the center of the passing game, positioning him more as a potential long-term WR3 or an occasionally outstanding WR2.
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Author: Rod A, Twitter
Image Credit: Randy Sartin – USA TODAY Sports