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Jalin Hyatt shows off 'next play mentality' with first NFL touchdown

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•08/19/23•

GrantRamey

Jalin Hyatt
(Michael Karas-The Record)Aug 18, 2023; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; The Carolina Panthers vs. the New York Giants in an NFL preseason game at MetLife Stadium. New York Giants Jalin Hyatt (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter with Isaiah Hodgins (18).

Brian Daboll showed his faith in Jalin Hyatt Friday night, while the New York Giants were hosting the Carolina Panthers in a preseason game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The rookie wide receiver, the third-round pick in April’s NFL Draft and last season’s breakout star at Tennessee, had a drop on one play, then a deep shot on the next.

“What I like, he had that drop and we dialed it up that very next play, where we thought the ball would go, and he made that play,” Daboll said after the Giants won 21-19 in their second preseason game.  “Good next play mentality. Positive approach.”

“That’s what you want to try to do, particularly with young guys,”

Hyatt caught this one, getting behind the defense and hauling in the 33-yard touchdown, his first in the NFL. He finished the game with four receptions for 35 yards and the touchdown on five targets. 

“There are going to be bad plays,” Daboll said. “So to encourage that next play mentality … in preseason games, it’s good if you can go back to them, if the coverage is what it is and the quarterback is supposed to throw it to them. You don’t want to force it. 

“But that was planned. He had that drop and we went right back to him.”

Hyatt was the No. 73 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, one of five Tennessee players drafted and one of four Vols who heard their names called in the third round. He signed with the Giants in May for a projected $5.6 million, including a $1.091 million signing bonus. 

Hyatt caught 67 passes while starring for the Vols last season and becoming the program’s first Belitnikoff Award winner. He finished with 1,267 receiving yards and caught 15 touchdowns. He led Tennessee in all three categories, came within 31 yards of Tennessee’s single-season record for receiving yards and set a new record with the 15 touchdowns. 

Jalin Hyatt ‘still chopping wood’ during preseason with Giants

He had just one catch, losing four yards on the play, in his debut with the Giants in Week 1 of the preseason against Detroit Lions on August 11. He has flashed with big plays throughout training camp. 

“Regardless of the position, when you’re a rookie, there’s always an adjustment period,” Daboll said early in camp. “I coached receivers early in my career for six years or somewhat. Drafted quite a bit of receivers. They’re all different, just like every player. Every position is different.

“So, the job of the coaching staff is, again, to get these guys as prepared as we can. To get them to buy into the program and do the right thing. Certainly, a lot of stuff to learn. That’s why we are here to try and help them the best we can.”

That work continues after the long touchdown catch Friday night, the one that looked like so many he had at Tennessee last year.

“Much like all the other rookies,” Daboll said, “still chopping wood here.”

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