Barring further offensive injuries, the New York Giants are inching closer to parting ways with fourth-year receiver Jalin Hyatt. Hyatt, a 2023 third-round pick from Tennessee, has become a forgotten man in the Giants’ receiver room. Not even John Harbaugh and Matt Nagy’s arrival has pushed him up the depth chart.
Outside of a couple of X posts from on-site reporters, the Giants’ OTAs came and went without Hyatt demonstrating why he deserves to crack the Giants’ Week 1 roster.
The Athletic’s Dan Duggan doesn’t see much hope for Hyatt, omitting him from the six receivers he believes will survive final cuts.
Rather than release Hyatt come August, the Giants should see what, if anything, they can get via trade. At 24 years old and in his final year of team control, Hyatt just might be able to net the Giants a seventh-round pick.
So, which teams make the most sense as potential Hyatt suitors? Let’s start with a team in far worse shape than the Brian Daboll-coached Giants ever were.
4 teams that could explore a Jalin Hyatt trade
Arizona Cardinals
At this point, the Cardinals should simply be trying to determine who fits into their 2027 plans. Arizona is widely expected to be among the league’s worst teams, an outcome that might result in Arch Manning, Dante Moore, or another first-round quarterback arriving next spring.
Marvin Harrison Jr. underwhelmed in his first two seasons, and it remains to be seen whether Michael Wilson’s 2025 breakout is solely a result of Jacoby Brissett averaging 35 passes per game.
With where the Cardinals are in their rebuild, they could do far worse than sending a late-round pick to the Giants for Hyatt.
Carolina Panthers
Speculation is mounting about Xavier Legette’s future in Carolina, and Jalen Coker’s ceiling might be as a No. 3 receiver. Hyatt could play a rotational role for the Panthers, who look to build off last year’s unexpected NFC South title.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young knows Hyatt well, with the two former SEC standouts overlapping during their college careers. This wouldn’t be a true homecoming, given that Hyatt is from South Carolina and played at Tennessee, but it’d nonetheless be a fun return to a familiar region.
Miami Dolphins
Much like the Cardinals, the leaguewide consensus is that the rebuilding Dolphins are in for a dreadful 2026 season. Miami fans should blame ownership for keeping the stubborn and ineffective Chris Grier as long as they did.
Might the new regime be tempted to acquire Hyatt and see if they can unlock his potential? Such a move makes sense, primarily because Hyatt will likely come extremely cheap. Keep your eyes on the Dolphins.
San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk remains MIA, and former first-rounder Ricky Pearsall’s long-term future in San Francisco is uncertain. Hyatt’s age helps him check the boxes that title contenders often seek from a buy-low, cheap receiver.
Much like their NFC West rival Rams, the John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan-led 49ers have proven over the last decade that they’re not afraid to part ways with picks if it means adding to a championship-caliber core.
Which team do you believe should trade for Jalin Hyatt? Let us know in the comments below.
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