Giants insider thinks 'unhappy' draft flop could want change of scenery

A seemingly confident Jalin Hyatt vowed this past summer that he would score his first-ever regular-season touchdown in the New York Giants' Week 1 game. Hyatt failed to record a single score for the second campaign of his pro career. 

For a piece published on Thursday, Giants insider Jordan Raanan of ESPN strongly hinted that the wide receiver selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft would like a change of scenery this offseason. 

"The 2024 season was a disaster for Hyatt," Raanan directly said. "He started the summer as the No. 2 receiver behind (2024 first-round draft pick) Malik Nabers (ahead of Darius Slayton) and finished with eight catches on 19 targets for 62 yards and no touchdowns. That was in 16 games with three starts. It was clear from watching Hyatt that he was unhappy with the situation. This is a 2023 third-round pick with incredible speed who averaged over 16 yards per catch as a rookie. Considering his discontent, it might benefit everyone for him to have a fresh start elsewhere."

In the spring of 2023, the hope was that Hyatt would become a home-run hitter for New York and for then-Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones played poorly before he suffered a torn ACL in early November of Hyatt's rookie season, however, and Hyatt ended that campaign with just 23 receptions for 373 yards.

More recently, it became clear even before the Giants parted ways with Jones this past November that Hyatt simply wasn't going to become a significant part of head coach Brian Daboll's offense. Hyatt now seems to be one of numerous questionable draft decisions made by general manager Joe Schoen. Schoen probably wouldn't get much in return for the disgruntled wideout on an inexpensive contract. 

The Giants could spend the No. 3 overall pick of the upcoming draft to land either Miami quarterback Cam Ward or Colorado signal-caller Shedeur Sanders. As much as Schoen and Co. shouldn't want to take weapons away from a first-year pro, Hyatt may feel he needs to get away from the Giants as soon as possible to salvage his career.