A strength that Vols WR Jalin Hyatt has that could help his NFL draft stock
Tennessee Vols superstar wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, this year's winner of the Biletnikoff Award, declared for the 2023 NFL Draft earlier this week. Hyatt will skip Tennessee's matchup against the Clemson Tigers in the Orange Bowl, though he'll be in Miami to support his Vols teammates. The South Carolina native wasn't on the NFL draft […]
Tennessee Vols superstar wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, this year's winner of the Biletnikoff Award, declared for the 2023 NFL Draft earlier this week.
Hyatt will skip Tennessee's matchup against the Clemson Tigers in the Orange Bowl, though he'll be in Miami to support his Vols teammates.
The South Carolina native wasn't on the NFL draft radar entering the 2022 season, but that changed after a monster season (67 receptions for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns).
ESPN's Todd McShay currently has Hyatt rated as his No. 44 overall player in the draft.
The reason Hyatt isn't ranked higher is because there are concerns about the system he played in at Tennessee. Hyatt took advantage of busted coverages thanks to the Vols' offensive schemes several times this season.
I think those system concerns, however, are misguided.
And this film breakdown from A to Z Sports Film Room's James Foster does a great job of objectively explaining why that's the case.
One thing that Foster points out that Hyatt does exceptionally well is the way he receives the ball.
Instead of trying to catch the ball with his chest, Hyatt almost always catches the ball away from his body.
Why is this important?
Well, as Foster explains, the ability to consistently catch the ball away from his body will allow Hyatt to make the tough catches in the NFL where the passing window is much smaller than it is in college football. Those tight windows don't allow for receivers to catch the ball with their body.
Hyatt catching the ball away from his body in stride also makes it easier for him to pick up valuable yards after the catch.
It's an underrated aspect of Hyatt's game that doesn't get nearly enough attention. And it could be one of the reasons why the talented Vols wide receiver lands in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. At worst, Hyatt shouldn't fall below the second round.
Featured image via Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
