Jalin Hyatt's career with the New York Giants is likely over. For all of his speed, the former third-round pick hasn't been able to carve out a meaningful role in Big Blue's offense. He's facing a nearly impossible training camp task of climbing up the depth chart enough to maintain a roster spot.
But an end to his Giants career doesn't have to mean an end to his NFL career. Other teams may come calling if the wideout is cut, especially those that have already lost receivers to injury this offseason.
The San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers are two prime candidates. The Niners lost Ricky Pearsall to a season-ending PCL injury. However, their depth at receiver would make it difficult for Hyatt to break through. The Panthers may offer him a better chance after losing rookie Chris Brazzell II to an LCL tear.
Panthers offer Giants bust Jalin Hyatt his best shot at redemption
We turned to Dean Jones of Cat Crave, FanSided's dedicated Panthers site, for some intel on the currents state of Carolina's pecking order at receiver, and where Hyatt might break through.
Jones said, "McMillan, Coker, Legette are going through. Canales loves Moore, so he's in. Young loves Metchie, so he might be too. [Brycen] Tremayne has special-teams value, and Ja'seem Reed is rising fast. [Jimmy} Horn is a work in progress. Wouldn't class any of them behind the top two as sure things performance-wise though."
The Panthers have an established duo at the top, but Brazzell II was in a position to take over that third spot as a vertical threat. Hyatt could fill a similar role, giving him his best opportunity to revive his NFL career.
Sure, this is an egregious case of helmet scouting. Both Hyatt and Brazzell II are speedy, outside receivers with unrefined route trees who played college football at Tennessee. But the role vacated by the Panthers rookie is exactly the one Hyatt thrives in.
The 24-year-old wideout has spent all of his time with Big Blue as a vertical receiver operating outside the numbers. Across his career, 87.6% of his snaps have come out wide and he's logged an average depth of target of 20 yards. His ADOT as a rookie was the highest in the NFL among qualifying receivers — by a margin of almost three yards.
There are few NFL receivers who fit as specific a role as Hyatt. If the Panthers are looking for a Brazzell II replacement, the current Giants wideout might be a strong option.
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