The New York Giants added another name to their wide receiver room this past week, signing veteran Lil’Jordan Humphrey to a one-year deal, per Adam Schefter. On paper, it’s not a move that will necessarily excite fans. But if you look a little closer, it could have some ripple effects—particularly for 2023 third-round pick Jalin Hyatt.
Humphrey, who just had the best season of his career with the Denver Broncos, brings something unique to New York that they don't have: Size. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he instantly becomes the biggest receiver on the Giants’ roster. That alone gives him a role that no one else in the room fills, including Hyatt, who stands at 6-foot and plays a speed-first, slender style.
It’s also worth noting that the Giants now have a legitimate logjam at receiver, and not everyone can make the 53-man cut.
Jalin Hyatt's roster spot looks even murkier after Humphrey signing
Hyatt’s third season in New York is becoming more uncertain than ever. After signing Darius Slayton to a three-year, $36 million deal and drafting Malik Nabers to be the WR1 of the future, the Giants are already two deep in wideouts they’re clearly committed to. Wan’Dale Robinson is the trusted slot guy. Add in Zach Pascal (special teams) and now Humphrey, and suddenly Hyatt feels more like the odd man out than the breakout candidate.
Hyatt has flashed potential, no doubt. He has elite speed and can stretch the field when used correctly. But the production just hasn’t been there, and more importantly, the opportunities haven’t been there either. Last season, he was buried on the depth chart. This year, he might be buried even deeper.
Humphrey isn’t a game-changer (yet), but he’s a reliable possession receiver who played 546 offensive snaps last season and posted career-highs in catches (31) and yards (293). He's not a special teams guy, so he’s clearly here to compete for an offensive role in Daboll's offense.
That could spell trouble for Hyatt, who may need a strong camp, or a change of scenery, to revive his stock.
If nothing else, the Humphrey signing is a reminder the Giants are trying to reshape their receiver room around, literally. Hyatt still has upside, but the Giants aren’t going to wait around aimlessly for him to find it.
And that might say everything. Humphrey could continue his breakout with newly signed gunslinger Jameis Winston onboard, pushing Hyatt out. Opportunity is everything, and Hyatt is quickly running out of them.