Giants' Jalin Hyatt: Bond with Russell Wilson 'definitely brings confidence'
Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt during training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., on Thursday. Credit: Ed Murray
Jalin Hyatt knows this is a critical season. The former third-round pick has done little to show why the Giants drafted him in 2023.
The wide receiver had only 62 yards on eight catches last season, down from 23 catches as a rookie. He’s still searching for his first NFL touchdown and was passed in the pecking order by Malik Nabers, who had a sensational rookie season.
So it’s surprising that he’s been singled out by Russell Wilson for his potential. It may be more of Wilson’s tendency to uplift his teammates, but Hyatt has taken it to heart entering his third training camp.
“It definitely brings confidence,” he told Newsday this week. “Especially with the type of player Russ is and what he has done in his career, for him to say that, it just brought confidence for me.”
Wilson didn’t just reach out to Hyatt after he signed with the Giants in March. He invited him to a private workout in Los Angeles before working out with multiple Giants receivers and tight ends in San Diego and Atlanta.
At his introductory news conference, Wilson said Hyatt is untapped in what he’s capable of contributing. He recalled a leaping catch Hyatt made against the Cardinals in his second career game. In June, Wilson praised him for his grit and work ethic.
“I’ve got all the belief in Jalin and who he’s going to be, what he’s going to mean to us and make clutch plays for us when it really matters in a great way,” Wilson said. “I’m excited for what he’s going to do this year.”
Given Hyatt’s production, it sounds like hyperbole. He was targeted only 19 times last season. His game-breaking speed, something he was lauded for coming out of Tennessee, hasn’t been on display and he was visibly unhappy with his role during end-of-season availability in January.
Wilson and Hyatt talk frequently in private. Coach Brian Daboll also noted that Hyatt stays close to Wilson in meetings. Wilson typically sits in the front and Hyatt is seated right behind him. It’s not exactly a big brother-little brother dynamic, but it’s a bond Hyatt appreciates.
“He’s been texting me 24/7, calling me,” Hyatt said. “We’ve been working [together] 24/7 and I didn’t really have that from the quarterback. Just proud that he’s here.”
Hyatt also added 20 pounds of muscle during the offseason. It’s taken time to adjust to running with more weight, but it’s helped him get better at absorbing contact on catches.
His coaches also notice that Hyatt has shown a more mature approach during OTAs and training camp.
“He’s been accountable for anything that may have been a mistake on his part. He owns up to it very readily and he doesn’t get down on himself,” wide receivers coach Mike Groh said. “He continues to come and show up and go to work, and usually, that pays dividends.”
For Wilson, uplifting Hyatt is a step toward helping him be more consistent. It’s something Hyatt hasn’t shown since he was drafted, and it’ll be harder to show with first-team receiver reps dominated by Nabers, Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson.
He knows this year is important to validate the Giants’ faith in him. But instead of feeling more pressure, Hyatt is more optimistic, thanks to Wilson’s support.
It won’t guarantee more targets, but it’s helped motivate him to keep working and make strides to prove his value after a rough start to his career.
“Just blessed that [Wilson’s] a part of this team. We got to make plays for him,” Hyatt said. “I gotta make plays. That’s what it is at the end of the day.”
Lawrence adds $3M in incentives to contract
Dexter Lawrence will get the chance to earn more money this season. The Giants added $3 million in incentives to his contract, a league source confirmed to Newsday.
Lawrence was set to earn $17 million this season. When asked about it Wednesday, he said he isn’t worried about his contract’s average annual value being lower than his reputation as one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles.
At $22.5 million AAV, Lawrence was third at his position when he signed his extension in 2023. Now he’s 10th.
“It is going to take care of itself. I mean, right now, I just want to win,” he said. “If I do that and I keep being who I know I am, it is all going to take care of itself, and that’s all I can do.”
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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