As the NFL's annual free agency frenzy comes to a close, it's time for teams to look forward to the year's best and last chance to improve their rosters: the NFL Draft. As April 27th approaches, we'll look at the prospects most likely to transform a franchise's fortunes.
The Player: Jalin Hyatt, Wide Receiver
Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt had a slow start to his college career at Tennessee, but his patience paid off in 2022. After middling freshman and sophomore seasons, Hyatt dominated with 1267 yards and 15 touchdowns over 12 appearances last year. With rare speed and explosiveness, there's a real possibility his best days are ahead of him.
The Tools:
Hyatt is a slight, undersized wide receiver who weighed in at 6'0" and 176 lbs at the combine. Thankfully, he made up for his small stature in the on-field drills, posting strong marks in the 40-yard dash (4.40), vertical leap (40"), and broad jump (11'3"). With his ability to separate down the field with the ball in the air, he recalls former Philadelphia Eagles star Desean Jackson.
The Verdict:
Hyatt doesn't have the short-area quickness to be elite near the line of scrimmage or intermediate area of the field, nor the size and durability necessary to excel as a true go-to wide receiver. His long speed is valuable but not necessarily game-breaking; he'll probably never approach the well-rounded games of fellow diminutive speedsters DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, or Tyreek Hill. Still, there's no doubt he can be a valuable complementary wide receiver if he fulfills his potential, but that probably doesn't merit a first-round pick.
Photo Credit: © Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sport
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