Vols WR Jalin Hyatt lands with NFL legend in latest mock draft
Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is expected to be a first or second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Hyatt, who is foregoing his final two years of eligibility at Tennessee to enter the 2023 NFL Draft, was one of the biggest stars in college football in 2022. The South Carolina native became a […]
Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is expected to be a first or second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Hyatt, who is foregoing his final two years of eligibility at Tennessee to enter the 2023 NFL Draft, was one of the biggest stars in college football in 2022.
The South Carolina native became a household name after his incredible performance in the Vols' 52-49 win against Alabama. Hyatt caught six passes for 207 yards and five touchdowns against the Crimson. That performance alone ensured that Hyatt will be a Vol legend forever.
It also put Hyatt on the NFL draft radar.
And after finishing the season with 67 receptions for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns, Hyatt is a coveted NFL draft prospect that will almost certainly be drafted with a top 50 selection.
The latest mock draft from Pro Football Network, in fact, has Hyatt going to the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 41 overall pick.
And they have him joining Tom Brady in the Bay Area (PFN is predicting that Brady will sign with the 49ers and that San Francisco will trade Trey Lance to the Tennessee Titans).
This mock draft operates under the premise that Tom Brady lives up to his childhood dream and signs with the 49ers. As such, 49ers leadership should aim to get the premier deep threat in Jalin Hyatt to add a new dynamic to Kyle Shanahan’s already overpowered offensive scheme.
If Hyatt lands with the 49ers, he'd be joining former Vols wide receiver Jauan Jennings (Jennings' last season at UT was in 2019, just prior to Hyatt's true freshman season in 2020).
Former Vols cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, who played at Tennesse from 2014 to 2017, is also on the 49ers roster (though he's currently injured).
Joining Brady in San Francisco would certainly be an interesting landing spot for Hyatt. Brady will be 46 years old next season (assuming he doesn't retire) and I'm not sure he has the arm to fully utilize Hyatt's elite speed.
I think a better landing spot for Hyatt would be with the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Bills quarterback Josh Allen have the arm strength to utilize Hyatt's speed and turn the former Vol into one of the most dangerous deep threats in the NFL.
Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
