Like (injured) 2022 second-rounder Wan'Dale Robinson, he's diminutive (5-10, 172 pounds). But Big Blue really needs bodies for its receiving corps, Sterling Shepard already dropped into the free agent market. Flowers is a weapon in the slot, from where he'll occasionally motion into a jet sweep (57 rushes in four seasons).
Smith-Njigba barely saw the field during the 2022 season because of injuries but he's still one of the top wideouts in the class. It's easy to forget that he led the 2021 Buckeyes in receptions and that corps included first-rounders Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, and future first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Giants outplayed expectations last year but have to be honest with themselves about the status of this roster. They have to address the many issues on this roster, one of those being the secondary. With this pick, the Giants draft CB Kyu Blu Kelly.
The Giants traded Kadarius Toney midseason, and Sterling Shepard and Wan'Dale Robinson sustained season-ending injuries during the season. One thing is clear, however: New York needs to bolster its receiving corps. Hyatt ran a limited route tree within Tennessee's spread offense, but the Biletnikoff winner has good hands and elite speed. Eight of his 15 touchdowns went for 45-plus yards.
The most glaring weakness for the Giants last year? The wide receiver group. Daniel Jones needs weapons. He needs playmakers. He needs a No. 1 receiver. The 2022 Biletnikoff winner has the speed and hands to be that guy. It feels like Hyatt has merely scratched the surface of his potential — the limited route tree in Josh Heupel's offense is either a positive or a negative, if you think long enough about it — and he can be one of the most explosive rookie receivers in the NFL in the right offense.
We saw a run on corners in the middle of the first round, and now we get another on receivers. The Giants' wideout issues are well documented, as they relied on Darius Slayton, Richie James and Isaiah Hodgins to carry the load last season. Wan'Dale Robinson will be returning from a torn ACL, but Slayton and James will join Sterling Shepard (also had a torn ACL) in free agency. It looks like Daniel Jones will be back in New York, but will GM Joe Schoen improve the supporting cast?
I really like Flowers' skill set. He's elusive in the open field and has the speed to separate from coverage. Last season, he caught 78 balls for 1,077 yards and 12 TDs while forcing a bunch of missed tackles.
The G-Men have dealt with many injuries and much disappointment at wide receiver since they traded Odell Beckham Jr. Flowers won't be for everyone with his smallish frame (5-10, 172), but he checks most boxes for a No. 1 receiver at the next level. He's a good route runner with excellent hands who is extremely dangerous in the open field thanks to elite speed, agility and vision.
If the Giants find a receiver in free agency, I could see them jumping ahead of the Vikings to grab a corner like "Spoon" to fortify the secondary. He's as competitive as they come, harassing receivers all day long, drawing flags and breaking up passes. New York trades the 25th overall selection and a third-rounder to Baltimore to move up three spots. (The Giants get a sixth-round pick, as well.)
