The New York Giants are still waiting for Jalin Hyatt to have his breakout moment. Despite trading up to grab him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hyatt has only shown brief glimpses of potential. His rookie year had some promise, but his second season didn’t live up to expectations.
Now heading into his third year, the 23-year-old is once again generating buzz thanks to a series of impressive plays during OTAs.
To help Hyatt reach his full potential, the Giants might need to rethink how they’re using him.
Hyatt’s Slot Potential Is Underrated
So far, the Giants have primarily positioned Hyatt on the outside. In 2024, he played 300 snaps wide and just 37 in the slot. As a rookie, those numbers were 494 wide and 63 inside.
While Hyatt has the speed to stretch defenses and the height to challenge on the perimeter, he doesn’t have the physicality often required to win consistently on the outside. That’s why, during his college career, he was rarely used there.
In 2022, Hyatt had a stellar college season, earning the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver after posting 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. A major factor in his success? He was used primarily in the slot—lining up inside on 624 plays versus just 92 out wide, according to PFF.
Tennessee recognized that Hyatt’s strengths—speed, separation, and big-play ability—were best showcased in the slot, where he was less exposed to press coverage and physical corners. The Giants, so far, haven’t followed that example.
A Position Switch Could Unlock Hyatt’s Potential
Putting Hyatt in the slot could play to his strengths. Inside, he would be less likely to face press coverage, giving him cleaner releases and quicker acceleration—key to maximizing his 4.4 speed.
With Wan’Dale Robinson entering the final year of his contract, the Giants might have even more incentive to see if Hyatt can grow into a long-term slot weapon.
His speed and ability to stretch the field could be far more dangerous from the inside. That said, Hyatt will still need to sharpen his route running and improve in contested-catch situations to thrive in that role.
There’s no official word yet on whether the Giants plan to change his role, but if they’re serious about igniting a breakout season, moving Hyatt to the slot could be the catalyst.