When the New York Giants selected University of Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt in the third round, it seemed like a major value pick given Hyatt’s college production and mock draft projections.
However, from his slide down the draft boards, it was clear that some teams had concerns about the Fred Biletnikoff Award winner for college football’s best receiver. Those concerns were highlighted in the NFL Films series “Hey Rookie,” where, during Tennessee’s Pro Day, Hyatt is recorded having a conversation with Dallas Cowboys wide receivers coach Robert Prince, where Prince questions whether Hyatt is more than just a deep threat.
“Do you not see me coach?”@JalinHyatt is confident in his route running ability 😤#HeyRookie | @Vol_Football pic.twitter.com/TtmRiMrNa7
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) April 26, 2023
“You know what you are,” Prince tells Hyatt. “You have a skillset. It’s your speed.”
When Hyatt also says, “I can run routes though,” Prince answers back, “We’re about to see.”
While Hyatt’s frustration in the video is clear, he has also been direct in his post-draft interviews at Giants facilities about his desire to prove that he is not a one-dimensional receiver. When asked directly what type of wide receiver role he sees himself playing for the Giants, Hyatt said, “Really anywhere…Wherever Coach wants me at, that’s where I’m going to play.”
“I’m not going to come in here and say I only play slot, or I only want to play outside,” he added. “That’s why I said I’m dynamic and explosive. I want to play everywhere…I’m going to do what I have to do.”
At the University of Tennessee, Hyatt wasn’t simply asked to be a deep threat, and he was clear to address that he’s played in multiple systems throughout his career.
“We did run a little different things [at Tennessee], but at the same time, I played in pro-style offense before,” he said. “It’s not like I always play spread my whole –…
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