With the NFL Draft behind him, Jalin Hyatt ready to prove himself at the next level

Everything Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt said during his introductory press conference with the New York Giants after being picked in the third round of the NFL Draft on Friday:

What makes him a big-play threat other than just pure speed

“Yeah, I feel like I’m just dynamic, explosive. I feel like I get open 24/7. That’s what you want in a receiver. I think with those three attributes, I think that’s why I separate myself from everybody else.”

What he was trying to work on during the pre-draft process to fine tune or round out his route tree

“Just really throughout the whole process of the (NFL) Combine, Pro Day, that’s really what I was working on. Just coming from a different system, getting used to more complex routes. I’m very capable of doing what I have to do. I’m very confident in what I’ve done in my training and can’t wait to get to work.”

His thoughts on becoming a member of the New York Giants

“Life changing, for sure. Life changing. This is a dream. Dream to play here. I had a feeling I was going to come here too. I had that feeling. I don’t know why. But man, I’m just blessed to be here, blessed to be in this position. And I just can’t wait to make the most of it.”

Where he felt he should’ve been slotted among the receivers in this draft class

“I mean, there’s a lot of good receivers out there in this draft. A lot of friends that I’ve made over time, just in the Combine prep and Pro Day prep. But I’m very confident in myself and where my game is. I really believe I’m the best receiver in the draft. It doesn’t matter where I was slotted at. Now I’m here. Now I’m ready to get to work and it’s time to get to work.”

His thoughts on playing in New York and being in that big of a media market

“As far as being here today, I have never been to New York just visiting or coming with family. So it’s definitely something different. Being here with my family, just experiencing New York and seeing everybody and seeing the coaches, meeting some players here, it already feels like a family already being here. Just like I said, blessed with the opportunity to show what I’m capable of.”

His favorite position as a wide receiver

“Really anywhere. I’m not going to come in here and say I only play slot or I only want to play outside. That’s why I said I’m dynamic and explosive. I want to play everywhere. Wherever coach wants me at. That’s where I’m going to play at and do what I have to do.”

His attempt to add weight during the pre-draft process

“Just something where I want to feel comfortable at. When I play this season, I want to be 190. And I’m right there at it. I’m very proud of what I’ve done (in) prep, as far as getting here and as far as my weight gain. But it’s just a comfortable thing for me. Just want to be at that 190 spot going into the season.”

How he’s been able to add weight 

“For me it’s just consistency. Making sure you’re eating the right thing. Having good eating habits. Being consistent with your meal preps. That’s the biggest thing for me.”

How much playing at a heavier weight can help him

“It definitely adds more confidence. Easier to catch the ball in contested areas. People can’t knock you off of routes. People can’t knock you off hard releases. Just a lot of things that can help you. Especially playing in the NFL, it’s going to be a little different. Knowing the players that are already in this league, getting some of their advice, just trying to learn from the people here, wherever they’re at, and just try to build on that.” 

Who he has leaned on for NFL advice 

“I would say one of my closest friends, Velus Jones, plays for the Bears. (He) just told be consistent, you’re meal prepping. He was here when I was playing at Tennessee. So we’re very close friends. Trey Smith, another guy, play for the Chiefs, (offensive) lineman. Having communications with guys that have had production in the league, that have done something and just learning from them.”

How much different he feels playing at his current weight

“The crazy thing is I feel more explosive. Definitely feel stronger for sure. When I added more weight, for me it just builds more confidence. I would say those three things for me.”

If he has studied the more slender receivers who have had success in the NFL

“I was very big on DeVonta Smith with the Eagles. I think he has a lot of capabilities that I have. Slender build, long arms, explosive, dynamic. Gets open 24/7. He’s consistent in how he catches the ball. He’s consistent as a receiver. And a guy that makes plays. That’s what I want to do. That’s what I want to be when I come here.”

The feeling when he’s known for his speed but still manages to use his speed to beat defensive backs deep

“That’s the best feeling in the world. Just knowing you’re going out there and no one can stop you. That’s how I felt (last) season. Just building off (last) season, learning from my mistakes and being ready for the big leagues.”

How he thinks a vertical threat can help this Giants team

“When you have (Saquon) Barkley in the backfield, a lot of guys on this team that are very, very good, they can’t really load the box. They can’t go down there and just blitz the whole game. They’re going to have to respect. That’s what I really want to bring and add to the table.”

If he worried during the weight-gain process that he might lose some speed

“Nah, that speed is going to stay with me. I was born with it.”

Thinking back to the Alabama game and what it did for his NFL future

“I would just say my hard work from the offseason. Just really for me, I really grinded through the offseason going into my junior campaign. Really after the Bama game, for me, that’s what is expected. That’s what was expected in my eyes. When I have those opportunities and the coach trusts you, you want to be Wide Receiver 1, those are the plays you have to make. Those are the standard. After the game, it was really an expectation. But the game, it was really something different. Probably changed my life. At the same time, that’s what football can do for you, that’s what it can bring. That’s why I take this sport so serious. This is my life. I love the sport, I love the game. I feel like loving the game, the mistakes I make, the good, the bad, just learning from it and getting better the next day. I think that’s the biggest thing I learned. Just want to build on it when I get here.”

What was different about him last season than in previous years

“I would just say I got serious with it. I got serious with it. I started realizing that this right here is for me. I had dreams of coming to the NFL. I had dreams of playing here as a kid. Playing basketball, playing football, running track — I had a dream of coming to football. I knew it was going to come. So being here, in this moment, seeing all of y’all and seeing my parents here, it’s a dream come true. This is something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time.”

If the time between getting drafted and getting to New York felt like a blur, if got any sleep in those hours

“Not really. It’s been a roller coaster. When I got drafted here to the Giants, I was so happy. My parents were happy, who were with me. It was a dream come true. Now everything is aside. Combine is done. For me, the draft is done. Pro Day is done. Now it’s time to put in work. Now it’s time to get down and grind and do what I have to do. The Giants traded up to get me and that’s something I’ll always remember. I can’t wait to go out and show out for them.”

The text he got from Daniel Jones, if that got him excited

“Oh yeah, definitely. When you’ve got QB1 texting you saying ‘are you ready?’ Yeah, I’m ready. I’m ready. I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. Like I said, I’m going to be an asset for him. That’s what I want to be. I want to be receiver he can trust, who is going to be professional, who is going to get open for him consistently. That’s what I’m going to do for him.”

If he takes it personal that he slipped to the third round, how special it was to go back-to-back picks with Cedric Tillman 

“You never know with the draft. For me, I was just blessed with the opportunity to be here. I wasn’t worried if I was sliding up or down or whatever. I know for me, whatever team drafted me, I knew I was going to do. The Giants took me, traded up to get me, and that’s something I’ll never forget. Now it’s time to put in work, do what I have to do and make my name here.”

“With Ced, one of my closest friends, I wasn’t texting him during the draft, but I did after when he got picked up. Just proud of him, what he’s done, the success he had at Tennessee. Can’t wait to see what his future is like.”

If Daniel Jones is already trying to get him on the practice field to throw

“We’re going to get on the field soon, I can tell you that. I need to text him later, go ahead and get the playbook down. Get him to send me the playbook so we can get rolling. I can’t wait. Daniel Jones is a great quarterback, we all know that. He’s proven himself. Now it’s time for me to prove myself. I can’t wait for it.”