Following a disappointing sophomore season in 2024, New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is entering his third NFL year with a renewed mindset and a transformed physique. The former Tennessee standout has added significant muscle mass while focusing on versatility, hoping these changes will revitalize his career and establish a consistent presence in the Giants’ offense.
From Promise to Frustration: Hyatt’s Rocky NFL Journey
Drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hyatt was expected to develop into a key vertical threat in the Giants’ offense. His rookie season showed flashes of that potential, as he produced 373 yards on 23 receptions despite instability at the quarterback position.
However, any momentum built during that inaugural campaign stalled entirely in 2024. With the offense ranking 29th in the league, Hyatt’s production plummeted dramatically. He managed just eight catches for 62 yards across 16 games, a stark regression that left both player and organization searching for answers.
Star: Giants WR Jalin Hyatt speaks on his impressive body transformation after his awful year 2:
“That’s what darkness does to you.”It changes you.”
A breakout season is incoming 👀 pic.twitter.com/UZbzdD3ARB
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 28, 2025
The emergence of rookie sensation Malik Nabers, who totaled 1,204 yards on 109 catches, further marginalized Hyatt’s role in the offense. As Nabers commanded targets and attention, Hyatt’s opportunities dwindled, his efficiency declined, and his confidence wavered.
Physical and Mental Transformation
Determined to reverse his fortunes, Hyatt embarked on an aggressive offseason transformation that goes far beyond typical conditioning. The wide receiver added more than 20 pounds of muscle to his frame, increasing from approximately 170 pounds to nearly 195 pounds.
“I played at like 170, 171 last year, I’m about 194, 195 now,” Hyatt said on the Giants Huddle podcast. “I’m telling you, that’s what darkness does to you. It changes you.”
The added weight represents a calculated shift in how Hyatt wants to contribute to the offense. Rather than relying solely on his elite speed, he’s now emphasizing the importance of maintaining that quickness while adapting to his new size and strength.
“Speed will stay there, but for me it’s just learning to run at this weight, learning to play faster, play bigger, play stronger through contact,” Hyatt explained. “I felt like that was one of the things that I needed to work on from last season, just felt weak. So I just had to get stronger.”
Beyond his physical transformation, Hyatt’s offseason efforts included crucial conversations with the coaching staff about expanding his role. The data from 2024 revealed a troubling pattern: 86% of Hyatt’s snaps and all of his targets came from outside receiver positions, limiting his impact and predictability.
This positional inflexibility became a focal point in discussions with head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. Hyatt is now advocating for increased versatility, drawing on his college experience to make his case.
“I had good conversations with Dabes and Joe Schoen about after last year, what we can do to have a better Year 3,” Hyatt said. “I want to move around… I played slot at Tennessee, and I just want to fill that slot again and at the same time still play outside.”
This positional flexibility could prove crucial for both Hyatt’s individual success and the Giants’ offensive evolution. His college career at Tennessee demonstrated his effectiveness in the slot, where he won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver in 2022 while operating primarily from inside alignments.
As training camp approaches, Hyatt’s comprehensive transformation sets the stage for what could be a defining season. Whether his added strength, renewed focus, and expanded role translate to meaningful on-field production remains to be seen.
What’s certain is that Hyatt is approaching his third year with the Giants as anything but a passive participant in his own career trajectory.