Giants add major speed boost at receiver in ESPN's latest mock draft
The New York Giants hold the 25th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft and have a variety of flavors to choose from when it comes to who they may select on draft night. The main candidates are corner, linebacker, interior offensive lineman, and of course… wide receiver. ESPN's latest mock was crafted by former […]
The New York Giants hold the 25th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft and have a variety of flavors to choose from when it comes to who they may select on draft night.
The main candidates are corner, linebacker, interior offensive lineman, and of course… wide receiver.
ESPN's latest mock was crafted by former GM Mike Tannenbaum, who has the Giants making a pick that (in my opinion) can take the team's offense over the top, both literally and figuratively.
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Here is Tannenbaum's blurb on Hyatt to the Giants:
"Darius Slayton led Giants receivers with just 724 yards last season. Despite re-signing Slayton and Sterling Shepard and adding a few pass-catchers in free agency, it's safe to say the Giants need a standout wide receiver. I love how Hyatt flourished in Tennessee's offense when Josh Heupel stepped in. He is slightly undersized at 6-foot and 176 pounds, but he has a lot of speed and posted 67 catches for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Hyatt could be the Giants' WR1 as soon as the draft card is turned in."
Hyatt is linear in both build and playstyle. A slinky physique that strides for big plays, his pace was largely unmatched by even the best defenses in college football. (See the above Alabama clip)
The reason this pick works is because Hyatt:
- Would immediately become the most dynamic receiver in New York.
- Is likely going to be available, given his 35th overall ranking on the consensus board.
While his speed is obvious, the concerns are just as glaring when it comes to Hyatt.
Starting with the body type, Hyatt is a high-cut pass catcher with a spindly frame. At 6'0 feet tall, the most recent Biletnikoff award winner (nation's best receiver) tipped the scales at just 176 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine.
There's also his tenure at Tennessee to consider.
Prior to 2022, Hyatt was largely unknown by even the deepest depths of draft Twitter, bursting onto the scene last year for the Vols.
This presents obvious concerns, with some potentially labeling him as a "one-year wonder."
The offensive scheme in Knoxville is also a bit of an outlier when it comes to projecting players to the NFL.
Noted for his wide splits and free releases, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel runs an offense that is foreign to the NFL, meaning Hyatt should expect more physicality at the next level.
That being said, Hyatt is the most athletic receiver in this class, per his 1st overall athleticism score via Next Gen Stat's Combine metric.
Personally, I think the switch from burnt orange to Giant's blue would be a fashion change that suits Hyatt.
