The Los Angeles Rams have completed another trade-down maneuver in the NFL Draft, sending the No. 73 overall pick to the Giants in exchange for Nos. 89 and 128.
This move comes shortly after Sean McVay‘s team slid down from No. 69, dealing with the Texans. In their new slot, the Giants grabbed wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, adding the Tennessee deep threat to a revamped receiving corps. The Volunteers’ top wideouts from last season have now gone back-to-back, with the Browns selecting Cedric Tillman.
One of this draft’s best deep threats, Hyatt was among the many receiver prospects to spend time with the Giants during the pre-draft process. He will join new additions Parris Campbell and Jamison Crowder in New York. With the Giants also re-signing Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard — along with RFA Isaiah Hodgins — their receiver group is about at capacity.
Hyatt’s arrival in the Big Apple does not supply the Giants with tremendous size, as he stands an even six-foot tall. But he also brings elite speed to the mix. Hyatt ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and that was while dealing with a hamstring issue. He also is the reigning Biletnikoff award winner.
The reigning Biletnikoff winner broke through for a stunning performance against Alabama this past season, erupting for a 207-yard, five-touchdown display. Last year represented Hyatt’s only notable run of production with the Volunteers; prior to his 1,267-yard season, he did not top 300 receiving yards in either 2020 or 2021.
Last season, the Giants needed to drag Slayton out of their doghouse and lean on midseason waiver claim Hodgins far too often. Big Blue's receivers room also has Wan’Dale Robinson coming off an ACL tear. It would not seem there is space for all seven of these wideouts on Brian Daboll‘s roster, but considering the injury trouble the team has dealt with recently, it might be wise for the team to stock up at the position.
If nothing else, Giants QB Daniel Jones will enjoy a much deeper pass-catching corps upcoming compared to last season. After earning a $40M per-year payday, the fifth-year quarterback has this contingent, plus Darren Waller to target in 2023.
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