Giants might ask Jalin Hyatt to handle a task that he was never asked to handle at Tennessee
The New York Giants might be asking former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt to handle a task in the NFL that he was never asked to handle in college. Hyatt, the No. 73 overall selection (round three) in the 2023 NFL Draft, is known for his elite speed. And Giants head coach Brian Daboll […]
The New York Giants might be asking former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt to handle a task in the NFL that he was never asked to handle in college.
Hyatt, the No. 73 overall selection (round three) in the 2023 NFL Draft, is known for his elite speed.
And Giants head coach Brian Daboll is looking to take advantage of that elite speed in multiple ways.
Nothing has been settled yet, but Daboll told reporters over the weekend that Hyatt could potentially return punts for the Giants in 2023.
Daboll said he feels like the Giants have a lot of options on the roster that can return punts and Hyatt is viewed as one of those options.
“We’ve got a lot of guys on the roster that can field punts. We’ll see how that goes,” said Daboll said during New York's rookie minicamp.
When asked specifically about Hyatt, who didn’t return punts or kicks in college, Daboll said the rookie out of Tennessee will get a look at returning punts for the Giants.
“Yeah, absolutely,” said Daboll when asked about Hyatt returning punts. “We’ll put as many guys back there as we can to figure that one out. But again, it’s a ways away.”
It's wise of Daboll to consider Hyatt as an option to return punts — the South Carolina native is a threat to score every time he touches the ball (just ask Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who saw Hyatt score five touchdowns on six receptions against the Crimson Tide last October). But keeping Hyatt healthy might be a bigger priority. Hyatt wasn't injury-prone at Tennessee so that's not a major concern, but anyone who returns punts is exposed to a greater risk of injury. And the Giants might not be willing to take that risk with Hyatt, a player who gives New York's offense a home run threat on every play.
We'll see how it plays out this summer, but it sounds like Hyatt will at least get a look at returning punts for the Giants.
