The first two years in the NFL for former Tennessee football standout wide receiver Jalin Hyatt haven't gone according to plan. Coming out of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hyatt had a lot of people in New York and New Jersey excited for his future after he won the Biletnikoff Award with the Vols.
However, after a disappointing 2023 season, things only went worse for Hyatt in 2024. So much in fact, there was plenty of speculation he'd be traded. That didn't happen and the New York Giants have since brought in Russell Wilson to take over the offense.
This alone is good news for the speedster, as Wilson and Hyatt have wasted no time in developing chemistry this spring. Not only that, but Hyatt has been on his grind in the weight room, with veteran wideout Darius Slayton telling reporters Hyatt has put on 15-20 pounds of muscle this offseason. Whoa:
Darius Slayton says that WR Jalin Hyatt put on 15-20 pounds this offseason 👀
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) June 12, 2025
Former Tennessee star Jalin Hyatt has put on 15-20 pounds of muscle
Last fall, Hyatt played at 6-0, 185 pounds. It's not a surprise to say that he wasn't known for being a big, physical route runner. However, adding size like this is only going to help him take the next level in '25, something that's desperately needed for him.
After catching 23 balls for 373 yards and no touchdowns in '23, Hyatt followed that up last year with eight receptions for 62 yards and zero scores. The fact that he's yet to post an NFL TD is something no one expected when the G-Men traded up to land him on Day 2 of the draft.
Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen must be losing patience, but the fact of the matter here is that the Giants haven't had stable quarterback play and it seemed like NY simply gave up on Hyatt and getting him involved in the offense in '24. That's not going to be the case this fall and winter. Hyatt has taken his training seriously in recent months. We can only hope things pay off with some head-turning numbers in Year 3 for him.