It feels like now-or-never time for Jalin Hyatt.
The excuse for Hyatt’s lack of production since the start of the 2024 season — eight catches for 62 yards in 18 games, with three healthy DNPs — has been a lack of snaps available because he was stuck behind three mostly healthy receivers playing virtually every down.
Well, Malik Nabers (torn ACL) is out for the season, and the Giants need a replacement to produce something beginning Sunday against the Saints.
Filling Nabers’ shoes is too tall an order for any one receiver, but perhaps Hyatt could offer the missing deep speed like he did as a rookie (23 catches for 373 yards).
“I knew I’d get my chance this year — just didn’t know when,” Hyatt said. “Can’t wait for the opportunity I’ve been waiting a long time for. Now, just have to take advantage of it.”
Hyatt phoned Nabers last Sunday night after the injury and the two had a long talk. Hyatt had just played 29 target-less snaps in Nabers’ absence.
“Definitely prayers for him, but, for me, it’s take that next step and be ready for my teammates — and I’m going to do that,” Hyatt said. “He’s been in my corner. He’s seen the adversity I’ve been through. And he just told me, ‘This is the time for me to do what I have to do.’ I’m going to be ready.”
If Hyatt still doesn’t produce behind Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson, or loses snaps to undrafted rookie Beaux Collins, there will be questions about how well he fits the complex offense.
And whether the coaches are correctly using the skills that allowed him to win the 2022 Biletnikoff Award as college football’s top receiver.
And whether he should be traded before the Nov. 4 deadline because a change of scenery and some return on investment (third-round pick) is better than nothing.
“He’s having a great week of practice so far, getting himself involved in the game plan and understanding what his role is going to be,” offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said. “That role will change every week. If he has an opportunity downfield to make a play or to make a play in space, I expect he’ll do that.”
Russell Wilson spent a lot of time building up Hyatt’s confidence throughout the offseason and preseason. Jameis Winston threw Hyatt a touchdown in a preseason game. But Wilson and Winston are now backups to rookie Jaxson Dart.
“Trust starts in practice and leads into the game,” Hyatt said. “The biggest thing I want to bring is being consistent, getting open, being where I need to be.”
It was only two weeks ago that Dart was throwing to Hyatt on the scout team, imitating that week’s opponent’s top duo for the defense.
“We had a lot of work in that three-week span before Jax became the starter to get used to how he plays, get used to how I run,” Hyatt said. “I just can’t wait to play with Jax and get a win. I want to do this for the Giants organization, for Jax being a rookie, and I want to play for me as well.”
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka credited offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, tight ends coach Tim Kelly and running backs coach Ladell Betts for thinking up “a nice play” on Jaxson Dart’s 3-yard, shovel-pass touchdown to Theo Johnson.
It looked like Kafka — a former Chiefs coach — might have ripped it out of the playbook for Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
