In Week 5 against Seattle, the New York Giants saw their second-year wide receiver Jalin Hyatt step into a more prominent role due to the absence of first-round talent Malik Nabers. Hyatt participated in a total of 48 snaps, which is a significant increase from his previous season performance where he averaged only a few snaps per game. Prior to this week, his highest snap count was just 15 in the opening game of the season, indicating that the coaching staff is starting to trust him more as a viable option in their offensive scheme.

Selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Jalin Hyatt made a notable impact in his rookie season with 23 receptions on 40 targets, accumulating an impressive 373 yards. Throughout the offseason, he received dedicated coaching from Mike Groh, the Giants’ wide receiver coach, which has led to a growing appreciation for his skills and potential within the team as training camp progressed. His development has been a topic of discussion among analysts and fans alike, fueling expectations for his performance this season.

The current target distribution in the Giants’ offense is heavily skewed, with Malik Nabers leading the league with an astonishing 38.2% target share. Following him is Wan’Dale Robinson with a considerable 28.1% target share, ranking eighth in the league. Such a concentrated offense strategy raises concerns, as it often appears that the team is overly focused on a handful of players, reminiscent of students cramming for a high-stakes exam, leaving little room for others like Hyatt to make their mark.

Despite the limited distribution of targets, particularly for Hyatt, who has only received three targets and no receptions this season, he is still making a significant impact. His role has been somewhat minimized due to the presence of Darius Slayton, who is leading the receiver group in overall snaps. This situation raises questions about why Hyatt did not record any targets during the game against Seattle, despite being on the field for 28 passing plays.

Hyatt’s influence on the game was evident, even if it didn’t show up in traditional statistics. While he did not secure any targets, he successfully drew two defensive penalties, including a crucial third-and-six situation in the second quarter against Seattle. The defensive hold called on Riq Woolen extended the Giants’ drive, ultimately resulting in three valuable points. These moments may not be reflected in box scores, but they are vital for the team’s overall success and momentum.

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Unlocking Jalin Hyatt’s Potential in the Giants’ Offense

Despite my belief in Hyatt’s abilities, he remains buried on the depth chart, unable to secure even a single target against Seattle. Interestingly, during the game, he showcased his skills by preparing Riq Woolen at the line of scrimmage on mirrored nine routes, which ultimately facilitated Darius Slayton’s impressive 41-yard reception.

Watch closely at the top of the screen as Hyatt successfully outmaneuvers Woolen. His combination of speed and strategic route running provides him with significant vertical separation as he accelerates. Although Hyatt’s release wasn’t overly complicated, he capitalized on the available space and made a quick move. The real question remains: would the safety, Julian Love, No. 20, have closed the gap quickly enough for quarterback Daniel Jones to deliver the pass? Seattle’s defensive scheme adds complexity to this situation, making Jones’ decision to target Slayton even more impressive. Regardless, Hyatt’s speed was clearly evident on this play, clocking in at an impressive 19.4 miles per hour.

Hyatt’s route tree has been relatively narrow, consisting primarily of vertical routes, some curving inwards while others headed towards the sidelines to evade defenders, particularly when the Giants faced Cover 2 defenses. He did have a notable play on the game’s first throw, which ultimately resulted in a sack due to Jones tripping over left tackle Andrew Thomas‘s foot.

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Positioned at the top of the numbers on the screen, Hyatt engaged Woolen, who closely shadowed him. As Hyatt began to lean towards the hash, he sensed Woolen’s leverage and broke back towards the numbers. Unfortunately, by the time he gained any separation, Jones was already on the ground. Had Jones not tripped, there was a strong chance he could have extended the play and found Hyatt for a substantial gain to kick off the game, but that remains speculative.

In his next two opportunities, Hyatt participated in designed screen plays for Eric Gray. Notably, he executed a crucial block that allowed Gray to convert a first down on a challenging third-and-17 situation. This contribution highlights Hyatt’s versatility and willingness to assist his teammates, demonstrating that his impact extends beyond just receiving statistics.

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A few plays later, on first-and-10, Hyatt took on the role of a clear-out speed option for a well-conceived pass to Tyrone Tracy Jr., which unfortunately did not deceive the Seattle defense. Hyatt’s deep route was designed to draw coverage, allowing Tracy Jr. to exploit a linebacker on a wheel route from the backfield. This play, originating from a pistol formation with a fake to Wan’Dale Robinson on the opposite side, reflects the Giants’ innovative approach, though Seattle’s disciplined defense thwarted the execution.

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Hyatt’s subsequent route was a deep dig against a Cover-0 defense, where he found himself matched up against a safety. He quickly closed the gap, but Jones, recognizing the defensive blitz, opted to deliver the pass to tight end Theo Johnson instead. Notably, Seattle blitzed on 35% of their defensive snaps against the Giants, not accounting for simulated pressure, which often limits opportunities for Hyatt, as his routes typically extend beyond seven yards.

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Later in the second quarter, Hyatt found himself on the edge in a stack formation. As he burst off the line of scrimmage and made his break, he appeared poised to exploit a matchup against safety Rayshawn Jenkins. However, Jones opted to throw to Darius Slayton, who had space against the cornerback, showcasing the tough competition Hyatt faces for targets.

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Hyatt ran a drag route late in the first half on first-and-10 while Seattle deployed a Cover 3 with simulated pressure. Had the Giants faced man coverage, Jones might have looked Hyatt’s way. Instead, he spotted a second-level defender and checked down to Tracy Jr. in the flat, marking the only route Hyatt executed near the line of scrimmage.

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On third-and-five with 29 seconds remaining in the first half, Hyatt angled outward from a stack formation before breaking back inside. A defensive back stayed close to Hyatt’s back, and on the subsequent third down, he encountered Tre Brown, who shadowed him closely, resulting in what appeared to be an uncalled defensive hold.

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In a challenging situation, Robinson let a pass from Jones slip through his fingers. Hyatt was also in the vicinity, and as he made his break, he created instant separation from a cornerback the Giants had targeted throughout the game. Unfortunately, Hyatt often found himself matched up against Woolen instead of Brown, limiting his opportunities to make a significant impact.

Evaluating Jalin Hyatt’s Role and Future in the Giants’ Offense

In Week 5, Jalin Hyatt faced a challenging matchup, finding it difficult to create separation from his defender, Woolen. Out of 39 pass plays, he participated in 28, contributing as a blocker on three of those plays. Here are several instances showcasing Hyatt’s struggle to shake his defender, which emphasizes the hurdles he continues to face.

The Giants’ offensive strategies did not prioritize Hyatt, often utilizing him as a decoy in various plays. Hyatt’s skill set aligns more closely with that of Darius Slayton, who is a more refined route runner. However, this does not diminish Hyatt’s potential for growth; his speed remains a valuable asset for the offense, as demonstrated in his contributions against Seattle despite the lack of statistical output.

Last season, Hyatt clocked an impressive 21.4 miles per hour in GPS tracking data, surpassing even Tyreek Hill‘s fastest speed this season of 20.8 miles per hour. While he may currently serve as a supplementary piece in the Giants’ offensive scheme, this does not imply that he is permanently confined to that role. As New York continues to emphasize deep passing plays, Hyatt will eventually reap the benefits, leading to scoring opportunities for the Giants. His relentless effort as a blocker and his ability to draw penalties due to his speed indicate that he is on the verge of breaking out, even if the preseason expectations have yet to fully materialize, partly due to situational challenges.