Every year we see a handful of prospects come out of nowhere to become big names in the NFL Draft. Last year the likes of Travon Walker and Ikem Ekwonu catapulted themselves from relative obscurity over the summer to being a top ten pick come April.
There have been a handful of major risers again this year. Here are the five players who have improved their draft stock the most in 2022.
Five players who improved their draft stock most in 2022
Jalin Hyatt – WR, Tennessee
All of the players on this list have boosted their stock, but perhaps none more than Hyatt. Before the 2022 season, Hyatt was playing a bit-part role for the Volunteers. Over his first two seasons he combined for just 41 catches for 502 yards and four touchdowns. The rest, as they say, is history.
Hyatt was utterly dominant for Tennessee in 2022 and formed a great connection with quarterback Hendon Hooker. He finished the season with 67 catches for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. Amongst Power Five receivers only Purdue’s Charlie Jones had more yards, and nobody had more touchdowns. Hyatt ended up winning the Biletnikoff Award for the best receiver in college football.
He still has room to grow in terms of the technique that is involved in playing wide receiver, but the potential is easy to see. Very few players can match Hyatt’s game-breaking speed and he really is a home run threat every time he is on the field. Every year we see a speedster receiver rise up boards – this may be Hyatt’s turn.