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Giants’ Jalin Hyatt doesn’t think he’ll need much time to snap lengthy touchdown drought

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Giants’ Jalin Hyatt doesn’t think he’ll need much time to snap lengthy touchdown drought

Shortly after helping about 30 kids pile toppings onto their hamburgers, Jalin Hyatt acknowledged that he is starving.

For a touchdown, that is.

The Giants’ second-year receiver went from finishing second in the NCAA with 15 touchdown catches during his final season at Tennessee to not reaching the end zone as an NFL rookie.

When does he plan to halt that drought?

Jalin Hyatt is pictured at Smashburger on July 15 during a promotional event with the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club. Charles Wenzelberg
Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt works with Steve Smith during OTAs on May 24, 2024. Noah K. Murray for the NY Post

“Week 1,” Hyatt quipped to The Post. “I’m hungry. I’ve never had a season in my life of not scoring a touchdown. That stays with me. That will probably stay with me for the rest of my life. I’ll be ready.”

Hyatt, 22, teamed with Smashburger on Monday to treat members of the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club to lunch in Midtown.

Smashburger donated $5,000 to the organization, and Hyatt was assembling the individual meals.

“It’s all about the kids — that’s why I do it. Not about me at all,” Hyatt said. “Seeing how much fun they have with Boys & Girls Club brought the kid back into me. I want to always give back and make sure they are enjoying themselves, let them know they can be the person where I’m at now.”

Hours before he was handling salad tongs, Hyatt’s hands were on footballs thrown by Daniel Jones during a 7 a.m. workout at the Giants practice facility that continued the quarterback’s return from a torn ACL.

The Giants open training camp July 23.

“I’ve been with D.J. the majority of the time of my offseason,” Hyatt said. “He looks good, he’s back running, and I can’t wait to be back in camp. It’s that time. Seeing how confident he is — especially after all the setbacks he went through throughout his career — it’s impressive. I love seeing him get after it.”

The Giants should have their best receiving corps since 2018 — Odell Beckham Jr.’s final season in town — if rookie Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson and Hyatt stay healthy.

Veterans Allen Robinson, Isaiah Hodgins, Isaiah McKenzie and Gunner Olszewski are battling a few youngsters to round out the group.

Jalin Hyatt is pictured interacting with children at Smashburger on July 15 during a promotional event with the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club. Charles Wenzelberg

Are people sleeping on the potential to elevate the NFL’s second-worst passing attack last season with a healthy Jones and three high draft picks (Nabers, Robinson and Hyatt) from the last three drafts?

“Yes, they are,” Hyatt said. “We can say what it is now, but we have to go on the field and make it happen. That’s what we’re going to do — talk with our actions. We have four or five dynamic receivers — all of us confident, all of us want the ball. We’re going to be explosive this year.”

Jones, now the longest-tenured Giant, gathered the offensive playmakers in North Carolina last month for throwing sessions.

It was his normal yearly routine with an abnormal twist given that Saquon Barkley (Eagles) and Sterling Shepard (Buccaneers), both of whom had a longstanding rapport with Jones, are gone.

“It was different not having Shep and Saquon there — two of your leaders who have been here for a minute,” Hyatt said. “At the same time, it’s good to be around your teammates training and having fun afterwards. The rookies showing their personalities is the biggest thing about it. When rookies come in, they can be shy and trying to get into the flow of things. We were trying to make it easy and show we are a family.”

Hyatt finished with 23 catches for 373 yards in 17 games last season.

Jalin Hyatt poses with children at Smashburger on July 15 during a promotional event with the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club. Charles Wenzelberg
Giants receiver Jalin Hyatt stands next to a check during a promotional event at Smashburger on July 15. Charles Wenzelberg

His elite speed mostly was used on deep balls, but there is more to his game that deficiencies elsewhere on the offense masked.

“Not going to make excuses,” Hyatt said. “I had plenty of opportunities last year, but we couldn’t connect. You can’t look at the past. It’s all about the present and the future.”

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