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May 29, 2024

Eagles rookie NFL player comparisons: EDGE Jalyx Hunt

What kind of production will the Eagles be getting — eventually — from their recently drafted pass rusher?

Eagles NFL
052924JalyxHunt Gregg Pachkowski/USA TODAY NETWORK

Eagles edge rusher Jalyx Hunt (13)

As we do every offseason, we'll be comparing each of the Philadelphia Eagles' rookies to current or former NFL players. Today we'll find a comp for third-round edge rusher Jalyx Hunt.


ROOKIE COMP SERIES

CB Quinyon Mitchell | DB Cooper DeJean | EDGE Jalyx Hunt | RB Will Shipley | WR Ainias Smith


Hunt was a safety at Cornell who transferred to Houston Christian and became an edge rusher. The last two seasons (21 games) at Houston Christian, Hunt had 13.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. He has obvious athletic traits, and he's a violent finisher when he gets to the quarterback:

The Eagles have short-term depth on the edges in Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, Brandon Graham, and even Zack Baun. Hunt is developmental prospect and likely won't get much playing time as a rookie. The Eagles will hope that they can get the most out of his raw athletic ability long-term, initially as a situational pass rusher, and they'll hope that he can also develop into a stout run defender as well.

A look at his Combine performance:

As you can see, he finished in at least the 80th percentile or better in every athletic testing event he participated in, except the bench press.

Hunt's profile reminds me of the Colts' Samson Ebukam. Like Hunt, Ebukam was an undersized developmental prospect with plus athleticism who came from a small school (Eastern Washington). Ebukam is somewhat smaller, but had slightly better testing numbers.

Measurable Jalyx Hunt Samson Ebukam 
Height 6'3 3/4 6'2 
Weight 252 240 
40 yard dash 4.64 4.50 
10 yard split 1.60 1.53 
Vertical jump 37.5" 39" 
Broad jump 128" 130" 
Bench press 19 reps 24 reps 


Ebukam's sack numbers have steadily improved over his career, but he didn't have a true breakout season until 2023, his seventh season in the NFL.

Samson Ebukam Tackles Sacks FF 
2017 - Rams 31 
2018 - Rams 40 
2019 - Rams 48 4.5 
2020 - Rams 31 4.5 
2021 - 49ers 38 4.5 
2022 - 49ers 36 
2023 - Colts 57 9.5 


Hunt's development will very likely take some patience, but he does have upside to become an impact player on the edge.

Next up: RB Will Shipley.


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