Tennessee fans finally hear what they were waiting for about Jalin Hyatt

Former Tennessee Vols WR Jalin Hyatt is dripping with potential. The big play kind. The kind that the sloppy, clunky New York Giants offense could really use on the field. However, for reason that have perplexed Vol fans, Giants fans, and media members alike, Hyatt's usage has been quite limited so far this year. However, that […]

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer

Oct 17, 2023 12:36 AM EDT

Former Tennessee Vols WR Jalin Hyatt is dripping with potential. The big play kind. The kind that the sloppy, clunky New York Giants offense could really use on the field.

However, for reason that have perplexed Vol fans, Giants fans, and media members alike, Hyatt's usage has been quite limited so far this year. However, that could be about to change, according to Giants head coach Brian Daboll.

Daboll was asked by the media on Monday after the Giants' 14-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night about a shortened wide receiver rotation, and Daboll mentioned Hyatt as part of the rotation.

"We really went with the two young guys, Hyatt and Wan’Dale (Robinson), and then (Darius) Slayton and Isaiah (Hodgins) mixed in," Daboll said. "So, that’s how we approached it this game and let those guys go and play."

Daboll also further acknowledged the importance of Hyatt being able to grow and develop as a player, through experience on the field, something critics of the Giants' coaching staff have readily pointed out.

"Yeah, they're young," Daboll said. "They’re young, so you’ve got to play them to develop them, too. I'd say that Hyatt made a heck of a catch in the fourth quarter on that in cut, held on to the ball, did a nice job on the scramble. Tyrod (Taylor) made a heck of a throw. Again, the more reps they have, the more experience they’ll get, the more developed they’ll get. Wan’Dale is obviously still working his way back. But two obviously young, young players in this league. In that position, you’ve got to play some to gain experience and to gain development."

Hyatt had an impressive 43-yard catch along the sideline called back for a very iffy ineligible man downfield penalty.

An egregious ineligible man downfield call whiped away this beautiful 43-yard play from Tyrod Taylor to Jalin Hyatt

Neal was engaged with a defender and took two steps back to the LOS before the throw…ball was at the 15, Neal is no more than 1 yd beyond that when Tyrod threw… pic.twitter.com/80GfpJqHU5
— Nick Falato (@nickfalato) October 16, 2023

Hyatt ended up with 3 catches for 21 yards. More importantly, he played in 56 of the Giants 77 offensive snaps, far and away the most of his young NFL career. His 72.0 Pro Football Focus grade was the second highest among all Giants offensive players.

As such, while the limited usage of the talented Vol for Life has been inexplicable and frustrating, it finally appears that Daboll is beginning to look to the future and helping the talented rookie begin to get the reps he needs for his development, as well as to give the Giants a deep ball threat they also need to stretch the field.

Just like Tennessee fans have said all along.