Giants HC Brian Daboll must give this player a more prominent role
The New York Giants (1-1) pulled off a team-record comeback Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals (0-2), surging back from 21 points down to win, 31-28.
The game's momentum swung in New York's favor on the first play after halftime, when Daniel Jones launched a deep pass to rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt for 58 yards.
Now we need to see much more of the third-round pick.
The speedy Hyatt, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds at the NFL Combine, gives New York a consistent deep-ball threat, something Jones has lacked since he became the starter in 2019.
"That play marked a turning point in both the game and the team's disposition," Sports Illustrated's Quinn Slaven wrote of Hyatt's 58-yard catch. "[It gave] the Giants the spark they were missing in the first six quarters of football this season, going back to last week's shutout loss against the Dallas Cowboys."
Had Jones thrown the ball slightly farther, it would've been a 75-yard touchdown for the rookie on his first career catch.
"I think that changed the whole outcome of the game. That one play," Hyatt told the media after the game. "I told D.J. right before we broke the huddle, 'Throw it. Just throw it.' He trusted me and threw it."
"Big time play by Jalin there, to make it, and it gave us some confidence and momentum going forward," Jones said.
Later, in the fourth quarter, Hyatt again showcased his skills with another incredible grab:
Playing only 14 snaps, Hyatt has become the team's leading wide receiver with 89 yards on two catches.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll hinted Tuesday that running back Saquon Barkley could return sooner than expected from an ankle injury. Even if he does, Hyatt must have a more prominent role in this offense — starting with Thursday night's game at San Francisco (2-0).
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