Hyatt’s time in New York ‘likely ended’

The big-play threat who wasn’t, Hyatt never made the transition from the University of Tennessee’s simplistic offense to the big leagues. He caught 23 passes as a 2023 third-round rookie, but saw that number fall to 13 combined over the past two years. Chaotic coaching and quarterback situations surely didn’t help, but the reality is Hyatt was a one-trick pony who struggled with said trick. Although he is still only 25 years old next month, Hyatt is unlikely to have teams lining up to a take a deep-ball flier. Also waived/released by the Giants were QB Brandon Allen, WR Braxton Berrios, TE Tanner Conner, DL Marlon Davidson, EDGE Khalid Kareem, S Raheem Layne, OL Evan Neal, OL Lucas Patrick, DL Josh Tupou, DL Anquin Barnes, DL Ben Barten, S Beau Brade, WR Dalen Cambre, FB Grant Finley, EDGE Trace Ford, WR Xavier Gipson, RB Eric Gray, OL Jarrod Gray, QB Jake Haener, OL Jake Kubas, LB Chandler Martin, LB Darius Muasau, EDGE Caleb Murphy, DL Zaach Pickens, OL Ryan Schernecke, S J.T. Woods, CB Art Green and K Ben Sauls.

The Giants threw the ball 13 times in a losing effort against the Vikings last week, so even if Johnson were to play today, his target volume would be difficult to project. His absence gives No. 2 TE Daniel Bellinger a chance to operate as a full-time player, though, putting him on the touchdown-dependent TE1 radar.

Given the Giants’ injuries at wide receiver, it’s unfortunate that Hyatt still can’t find a spot on the game-day roster. With just five catches for 35 yards this year, he will likely be looking for a new team in 2026.

Yet to catch a pass on three targets this season coming into this evening, Hyatt got more run with Darius Slayton (hamstring) sidelined. Unfortunately, he got out-targeted 8-5 by practice squad elevation Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Hyatt also had something of an end zone drop that thankfully resulted in a DPI call that set the Giants up for a one-yard Cam Skattebo touchdown. In theory a big-play threat who could be a little livelier down the stretch as this offense perks up with Jaxson Dart under center, the reality is Hyatt seems extremely unlikely to ever make re-draft fantasy noise.

Although Dart was cleared to return, we do not expect him to return. Dart took a tumble on a scramble and was summoned into the blue medical tent by medical staffers. Before that play, which nearly resulted in a lost fumble, Dart looked great against the Patriots’ defense. He completed 6-of-12 passes for 81 yards and one touchdown and rushed once for 23 yards. One has to wonder how long Russell Wilson can keep the starting job with Dart showing promise. The rookie passer would have had a much bigger stat line had WR Jalin Hyatt not botched two downfield opportunities. Hyatt let one pass bounce off his shoulder pads and later let another clang off his hands. He then, almost unbelievably, hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass from Jameis Winston on the play immediately after Dart’s scramble. For fantasy managers wishing to stash a late-round dual-threat quarterback, Dart deserves consideration.

It’s an unfortunate development for a player who Raanan described as having made “plays downfield early in camp” and looking like a better, “more confident player.” Raanan also downplayed Hyatt’s purported 15-20-pound weight gain, though he did say Hyatt “did put on weight.” Hopefully, Hyatt can get healthy in time for the start of training camp next month.

The team previously listed Hyatt at 6'/185, which is fairly typical for modern-day NFL wide receivers. Hyatt had speed to spare, entering the NFL after running a 4.40-second Forty at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. At the event, he weighed in at 176 pounds. Hyatt is likely best suited to a rotational field-stretcher role behind Slayton, but perhaps the bulk inspires Hyatt to refine his route running techniques rather than relying on straight-line speed.

Hyatt again looks to be on the outside looking in for a real role in the passing game, with Hughes also adding that some players “simply can’t get out of the doghouse.” If the Giants do add Gabe Davis after bringing him in for a visit recently, it’s no guarantee that Hyatt will be on the 53-man roster in 2025.

This makes back-to-back disappointing seasons for Hyatt, who was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The speedy receiver has caught just 31 passes for 435 scoreless yards in his first two years as a pro, struggling to find his footing in a Giants offense that is short on receiver talent outside of Malik Nabers. With Darius Slayton likely to depart in the offseason, a role could open up for Hyatt in 2025, but we wouldn’t hold our collective breaths. Both Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson should have solidified roles for next season, leaving Hyatt to compete with whoever else is brought in during the offseason.

Hyatt stepped into a starting role with Darius Slayton sidelined because of a concussion. The second-year wideout acquitted himself well, moving the chain on multiple plays while catching every ball thrown his way. He also drew a long pass interference call earlier in the game. Slayton should be back following New York’s Week 11 bye, sending Hyatt back to the bench for the time being. Hyatt is worth holding onto in dynasty leagues as the Giants move into evaluation mode, though redraft managers can do better off the waiver wire this week.