Jalin Hyatt named dream target for Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023 NFL Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a series of important additions to their wide receiver corps last offseason. However, David Kenyon of Bleacher Report doesn’t think that should stop the Jags from taking Jalin Hyatt with the 24th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Kenyon recently identified every team’s dream target in the draft and he believes Hyatt would be the perfect fit in Jacksonville. Here’s what he had to say about the Jaguars potentially going with the 2022 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner in the first round.

"Jacksonville, meanwhile, has its franchise QB in Trevor Lawrence. Now, the Jaguars should be maximizing their potential with him on te most cost-effective contract he’ll ever sign. Given the Jags’ returning personnel, adding a blazing deep threat like Jalin Hyatt is an exciting thought. He ripped off a nation-leading 11 catches of 40-plus yards last season."

Hyatt put on display his big-play skills last season, hauling in 67 receptions for 1,267 yards with 15 touchdowns last season. He’s the kind of deep threat that keeps defenses honest and prevents them from loading the box. However, Joe Marino of The Draft Network notes that Hyatt only had one year of meaningful production at Tennesse and wonders whether he’s got the size to play in the NFL at 6’0″ and 185 pounds.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media has Hyatt going to the New York Giants at No. 25, one pick after the Jaguars while The 33 Team’s scouting department sees the Los Angeles Chargers taking him with the 21st overall pick, so it’s clear analysts see him going in the second half of the first round.

The Jacksonville Jaguars may pass on Jalin Hyatt in the 2023 NFL Draft

Hyatt would be a huge addition to the Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver corps. He would round out a group that includes Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and potentially Calvin Ridley, who filed for reinstatement in early February.

Having said that, the Jags will have bigger needs to address in the draft. Although it’s never a good thing to draft for a need, this year’s cornerback class is the deepest one in a while and corner happens to be their biggest question mark this offseason, so the Jaguars are better off taking someone like Cam Smith or Kalee Ringo at No. 24.

Having said that, the Jaguars could take Hyatt in the first round if he’s the highest-graded prospect in their big board and wait until the second round to select a cornerback. That wouldn’t be a popular move but it wouldn’t matter if Hyatt becomes an instant contributor. In the end, you want to take an impact player in the first round and if the Jaguars’ brass believes Hyatt could be that player, they should then take him.

The Jaguars have a talented wide receiver corps. Their cornerback room, on the other hand, could use a boost, which is why it’s hard to see them taking Hyatt in the first round regardless of how talented he is.