Jalin Hyatt is still listed as a wide receiver, but the Giants have already found a new way to use the 2023 fourth-round pick.
Instead of spending his time returning punts in a contract year, Hyatt is now working as a gunner. That means he’s the one racing downfield to help stop a big return.
Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reported that Hyatt stood out during Wednesday’s practice. He reportedly drew a penalty on a special teams rep and also hauled in a touchdown pass from Jameis Winston.
For Hyatt, the move is another sign that he’s trying to do whatever it takes to stick. It also suggests the Giants weren’t content to leave him in the same role, which matters because his path to the 53-man roster already looked shaky if the team keeps six receivers instead of seven.
That doesn’t mean Hyatt has suddenly jumped ahead of Odell Beckham Jr. or JuJu Smith-Schuster for a roster spot, especially this early in camp. But he does have a chance to use the preseason to make an impression elsewhere, whether that leads to a practice squad opportunity or a shot at another team’s 53-man roster.
Even with this new assignment, the odds still aren’t great for Hyatt to make the Giants’ roster barring injuries. Malik Nabers is expected to play in Week 1, and there’s been no indication the Giants are considering a Darius Slayton trade. Beckham’s familiarity with John Harbaugh, along with his strong start to camp, makes him the clear favorite for the sixth receiver job.
If Hyatt’s work as a gunner boosts his trade value, that would be a win for both sides. The Giants should try to move him this summer, and one possibility previously floated was sending him to the Browns for Cedric Tillman, his former Tennessee teammate who was drafted one spot after Hyatt in 2023.
And there’s real value in elite gunners. Matthew Slater’s name has even come up as a possible Hall of Famer, not just because he won three championship rings. Over 18 seasons, Slater made five All-Pro teams, including two first-team selections, and earned 10 Pro Bowl nods.
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The real intrigue now sits in the spots where the margin for error is thinner, especially at cornerback and receiver. Paulson Adebo and Greg Newsome II have emerged as the leading names in the cornerback mix, while Deonte Banks and rookie Colton Hood continue to press for their own place in the picture, and the wideout competition behind Malik Nabers remains very much alive with Darius Slayton and Darnell Mooney among the players still battling for position. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Finally Made The Roy Robertson-Harris Move Fans Expected
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New York answered by adding cornerbacks D.J. James and David Long, while waiving injured wide receiver Beaux Collins. Robertson-Harris move to injured reserve gives the Giants a clearer picture of their defensive line as camp continues, but it also leaves one more spot to sort out in a roster picture that is still very much in motion. [Read more 🡒]
Odell Beckham Jr. Just Changed The Feel Around Giants Camp
The Giants moved through their third straight padded practice with a little more snap in the air, and Odell Beckham Jr. was a big reason why. He was busy all afternoon, catching passes from multiple quarterbacks and getting first-team reps again, the kind of workload that tends to make a camp field feel a little less like August installation and a little more like a real passing game. Around him, there were other encouraging signs too, from Dalen Cambre and Tae Banks to Dominic Zvada and Theo Johnson, giving the staff several reasons to keep watching closely.
Jaxson Dart also looked sharper after his earlier taunting penalty, even if the day still came with two interceptions, which is part of the learning curve for any young quarterback in camp. The Giants also kept tinkering with their offense, including a new wrinkle with Theo Johnson taking a shot under center, a reminder that this phase of practice is as much about discovery as evaluation. For a team trying to sort out roles and rhythm, Beckhams presence has already changed the temperature around camp in a way that is hard to miss. [Read more 🡒]