Who Should I Start? Jalin Hyatt or Arian Smith

Wednesday, August 13, 12:50 PM

New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (undisclosed) returned for Wednesday's joint practice against the New York Jets, according to Paul Schwart of the New York Post. It's unclear why Hyatt was held out of the preaseason opener on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills, but he's back at practice now and should be able to suit up for the second preseason game against the Jets. It's unclear if his recent absences had anything to do with the minor lower-body injury that he suffered early in training camp. The 23-year-old should have more opportunities on offense with Malik Nabers (shoulder, toe) still being held out with multiple nagging injuries. In 16 games in 2024, Hyatt disappointed with eight catches on only 19 targets for 62 yards. Hyatt isn't even in the top 100 receivers at RotoBaller for the upcoming season.

Sunday, August 31, 11:01 PM

The New York Jets expect rookie wide receiver Arian Smith to "contribute right away," according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. A fourth-round pick out of Georgia, Smith recorded 48 catches for 817 yards and four touchdowns in his final collegiate season for the Bulldogs. Outside of top wideout Garrett Wilson, the Jets are hurting for talent at the position. Veterans Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard (shoulder) are penciled in as the team's WR2 and WR3, but Lazard is battling a shoulder injury. If Smith hits his upside as a prospect, he will bring a speed element down the field that the Jets' veteran receivers cannot. The 23-year-old is a name to monitor early in the season as a potential waiver-wire stash.