If anyone has any idea what the New York Giants are doing with, or are planning to do with Jalin Hyatt, can you please stand up? Seriously, it wasn't three years ago that Big Blue traded up in the 2023 draft to select the then-reigning Biletnikoff Award winner with the 73rd overall pick.
Ever since, the wide receiver has been an afterthought, all but entirely phased out of the offense. His role seemingly diminishes by the minute. Look no further than the past two-plus seasons — his usage has dropped every season to none so far in year three, with his counting stats crashing:
Year | Receptions | Yards | TDs | Total snaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | 23 | 373 | 0 | 557 |
2024 | 8 | 62 | 0 | 344 |
2025 | -- | -- | -- | 0 |
It's a concerning trend, but the most frustrating thing about this whole Hyatt situation is not knowing what the endgame is. It was reported that Joe Schoen fielded calls for the 24-year-old in the offseason, but they opted to keep him. So, instead of getting an asset, it looks like he'll just be a wasted roster spot. Make it make sense.
Jalin Hyatt might be the Giants’ most confusing roster decision
In New York's soul-crushing 40-37 overtime Week 2 loss, every player listed as "active" saw the field except for one: Jalin Hyatt. Not that they needed him. Russell Wilson did just fine without him, and Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson showed up in a big way. Even still, what gives?
He was also non-existent in Week 1, getting relegated to sideline duties. Hyatt spoke to the media about his new mindset when things like this happen:
"It was a little surprising," he told NJ Advance Media of his non-use in Week 1. "But that's maybe how the game was going. I can't really dwell on that. I can't really let that bring me down. It’s a long season."
It's a much different and more refreshing stance than the one he took last year, when he was getting phased out of the offensive game plan — it still has to be frustrating. It was a lot of tongue-biting on the receiver's part last year in his diminished role, and he's hoping his more mature mentality will bring more results instead of living in his head and spiraling.
What is the plan? It's already a bad look on Schoen to trade up for a player who can't even get on the field, but it's even worse knowing the 89th and 128th picks sent to the Rams for his draft rights turned into DT Kobie Turner and backup QB Stetson Bennett, respectively. Talk about highway robbery. The Giants would trade Hyatt for Turner in a heartbeat.
If anyone has information, please let us know. He's just becoming a waste of a roster spot at this point. Perhaps it's time for Schoen to dial out and see if any of those teams are still interested in making a deal for the wideout. It looks like both parties could use a change.