Sometimes, hindsight isn’t just 20/20—it’s straight-up brutal. For general manager Joe Schoen and the New York Giants, the release of the NFL’s annual honors list has cast a harsh spotlight on the 2023 draft class, specifically, the third-round pick that once looked like a sneaky steal.
Jalin Hyatt, the Giants’ trade-up selection at No. 73 overall, was supposed to be a game-changing vertical threat. Instead, the pick is now a glaring blemish on Schoen’s track record, especially when you see who the Rams grabbed in that very same draft.
While Hyatt has struggled to find his footing in two seasons with Big Blue—managing just 62 receiving yards in 2024—his draft-day counterpart, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, has thrived for the Los Angeles Rams. The Wake Forest product capped off a stellar sophomore season by earning several All-Pro votes and anchoring one of the best young defensive lines in football. Meanwhile, Giants fans are still waiting for Hyatt to run a meaningful route in a game that matters.
So, how did we get here? And why does Schoen’s decision to trade up for Hyatt look worse with every passing day?
Kobie Turner’s rise in LA makes Jalin Hyatt’s struggles in NY even harder to stomach
Let’s start with Turner, who might as well be a giant blinking reminder of what could’ve been. Drafted 16 spots after Hyatt at No. 89, Turner has blossomed into one of the most productive interior linemen in the league. Adding insult to injury, the Giants actually traded up to No. 73—sending the Rams the No. 89 and No. 128 picks—to select Hyatt.
The Rams used that No. 89 pick to draft Turner, who has since become a cornerstone of their defensive line, leaving Giants fans to wonder what might have been if they had just stayed put.
This season alone, he logged eight sacks, 22 pressures, and a 74.9 grade, ranked 20th among interior defenders, per Pro Football Focus. On top of that, Turner earned three All-Pro votes in the AP's recently released voting, further cementing his status as one of the NFL’s rising defensive stars. He’s not just a role player—he’s the guy leading the Rams’ post-Aaron Donald defensive resurgence.
Kobie Turner: Really good football player pic.twitter.com/A4xQVEyitZ
— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) December 13, 2024
And it’s not just the stats. Turner’s leadership has been just as impactful as his on-field production. Named a captain in only his second season, he’s been praised for his relentless motor and football IQ. Rams coaches and teammates rave about his ability to diagnose plays and rally his unit, setting a standard for a defensive front that's becoming one of the most daunting units in the league. He's quietly becoming a superstar, leading the Rams to the playoffs after a first-place finish in the NFC West, at 10-7.
Meanwhile, Hyatt’s time in New York has been defined by frustration and a lack of fit. A vertical specialist at Tennessee, Hyatt came into the league with the promise of speed and big plays. But in an offense that lacks consistency outside rookie sensation Malik Nabers, Hyatt has been an awkward fit. Add inconsistent quarterback play to the equation, and the results have been disastrous. Eight catches for 62 yards in a season isn’t just underwhelming—it’s borderline irrelevant.
The reality is, not every draft pick pans out—it’s the nature of the business. But when a team moves up for a player, the stakes are higher, and the scrutiny is magnified. Turner's fit alongside Dexter Lawrence would have been incredible. Having those two interior disruptors would have been a game-changer for Big Blue. The Hyatt experiment raises bigger questions about Schoen’s ability to align his draft strategy with the coaching staff’s vision.
Can Hyatt turn things around? Possibly. A new quarterback could help unlock some of the potential we saw at Tennessee. But even if he does, the sting of watching Turner dominate for the Rams won’t fade anytime soon.
However, Hyatt himself seems uncertain about his future in New York, recently telling reporters, “We got some talks we gotta have, but we’ll see.” That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of his fit in this offense. It’s also hard to ignore the growing sense of a disconnect between Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen. While Schoen continues to champion Hyatt’s potential, Daboll’s game plans tell a different story, sidelining the receiver in favor of players who better align with his offensive vision. It’s a tension that underscores deeper issues in the Giants’ decision-making process.
In the end, the 2023 draft class tells a story of two picks—one that became a cornerstone for a contender and another that left a franchise spinning its wheels. For Joe Schoen, the takeaway is simple: sometimes, playing it safe beats trying to outsmart everyone else. Right now, Hyatt’s contribution is coming up empty. These are the types of moves that will wear patience thin in New York and lead to major changes.