Jalin Hyatt is the “New” NFL Prototype, Small but Fast
Jalin Hyatt
Tennessee
Wide Receiver
6’0, 175lbs
2022 Stats: 67rec 1267yds 15tds 18.9yds/rec
Pros
Hyatt’s biggest strength is his speed and explosiveness. Watching him on tape, he continually pulled away from defenders with his long speed but he also has great acceleration to get to his top gear quickly. He plays almost exclusively in the slot and that’s where he will likely be used at the next level, but with his elite speed, he’s a threat to take it to the house on any given play.
He’s also not a one-trick pony as his route running is solid, as he has great hands and above-average ability to win the contested catches. When you combined those traits with his RAC ability, he makes for a very interesting dynasty wide receiver. Landing spot will be a huge factor in where he goes in rookie drafts, but as the cliché goes, “You can’t teach speed.”
Cons
The biggest knock on Hyatt is his size, listed at 6-foot 175lbs, he has a very slender frame and could struggle with press-man coverage in the pros. Luckily for him, he does most of his damage from the slot where he is less likely to see press-man. There has been an influx of receivers like Hyatt, small but extremely athletic — some have found some great success, while others have been unable to translate to the pros. His landing spot and the type of offense he is in at the next level will really be a huge factor in his fantasy value.
Summary
Jalin Hyatt will need a good landing spot in an offense that will use him properly. I don’t think he will ever be an alpha-type WR, but he will be that field stretcher from the slot and a guy you want to get out in space to see if he can create something. We’ve seen speed guys like Hyatt fly up NFL draft boards post-combine if they show well, even if they don’t have the production to go with it, but Hyatt has that production and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him as a Day 2 pick in the NFL Draft.
2023 Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: Mid-to-late 2nd, could move up if he gets higher-than-expected draft capital
Ideal Role: Field-stretching slot in a pass-heavy offense
Player Comp: Dede Westbrook
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
