In 2024, it was perfectly acceptable to see Jalin Hyatt line up at receiver for the New York Giants. He was still a young, developmental prospect with a chance to become a solid deep threat. In 2026, it's not such a pleasant experience.
We thought that the G-Men were finished with Hyatt when they waived him in August, but they just couldn't resist coming back. The wideout was promoted to New York's active roster again before a Week 9 battle with the Philadelphia Eagles. Not only did he play, but he took significant snaps in a crucial NFC East matchup.
This isn't a Hyatt problem, not exactly. The Giants simply don't have enough healthy receivers to field a complete group. If Big Blue has been reduced to relying on Hyatt again, the trade deadline offers some much better alternatives.
Jalin Hyatt exposed a Giants trade deadline need
There's no need to worry about the top of the Giants' pass-catching group. Malik Nabers delivers on the targets he demands, and Isaiah Likely is in the middle of a breakout campaign. After that, it gets a bit shaky.
Malachi Fields is an encouraging rookie, but Darnell Mooney is prone to frustrating mistakes, and Hyatt doesn't have much to offer at this point in his career. New York didn't plan to rely on Hyatt this year, but injuries have left the receiver room thin.
In the win over the Eagles, Hyatt recorded nine snaps, per PFF's initial report. His lone target came on a deep ball from J.J. McCarthy in the first quarter, which he couldn't run under.
In the third quarter, Hyatt was unable to communicate with Jameis Winston on a Philadelphia blitz. He saw the slot defender creep toward the line of scrimmage, but he didn't look for the ball after the snap. Winston was forced to scramble.
Hyatt is currently the Giants' fourth receiver, and they can't rely on him to contribute much of anything. That's no way to live for a team hoping to make a playoff push.
Luckily, Big Blue is in the middle of trade season.
Giants might be better off trading for a WR than making a Jonathan Taylor splash
Trading for a wide receiver is the quickest path to improving New York's offense that seems to be flying under the radar. While adding a needle-moving running back like Jonathan Taylor might cost a first-round pick or a second-round pick and change, the Giants could improve their receiver room without feeling the loss in draft capital.
If they replace Hyatt or Darnell Mooney with a starting-caliber receiver, the G-Men can give McCarthy another reliable target at a low cost. And while Taylor is the only running back with trade buzz at the deadline, there are multiple receivers who could be on the move.
The most obvious candidate is Taylor's Indianapolis Colts teammate, Josh Downs. He mostly plays from the slot, but he's an excellent route runner who can dust defenders in man coverage. Still a relatively young player, he would give Big Blue a solid building block moving forward.
Downs recently requested a trade, so he's ready for a change of scenery. He is in the final year of his contract, though, so he would need an extension.
A cheaper alternative might be Quentin Johnston of the Los Angeles Chargers. He's explosive with the ball in his hands and can line up in the slot or out wide. Johnston could be available at a low cost if the Chargers decide to hold a deadline fire sale.
Other potential options include Jerry Jeudy, Kayshon Boutte, and even Brian Thomas Jr. Whatever the G-Men decide to do at running back, they should at least explore the wide receiver market at the trade deadline.
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