NFL draft: Who will take Jalyx Hunt, University grad and Houston Christian pass rusher?

Posted by Admin April 25, 2024 Football

The youngest high school in the Volusia-Flagler area, University will almost assuredly produce its first NFL draft pick this week — a player who has taken an extremely uncommon road to get to the league.

Jalyx Hunt played wide receiver for the Titans in 2018, was recruited by Cornell as a safety and finished his collegiate career as a pass-rusher at Houston Christian. The moves have proven fruitful in the long run for the 6-foot-4, 252-pounder, named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 after recording nine tackles for loss, 6½ sacks, two pass breakups and an interception that he returned for a touchdown.

Houston Christian has never produced an NFL draft pick, either — although New England quarterback Bailey Zappe played four seasons for the Huskies before transferring to Western Kentucky. Yet, Hunt impressed enough to earn invitations to the two biggest pre-draft events — the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the NFL scouting combine — where he seemingly solidified his standing as a mid-round prospect.

Jaguars biggest needs, best fits: How can Jacksonville ace its 2024 NFL Draft picks?

NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported last week that Hunt had a top-30 visit with the Washington Commanders. Hunt previously visited with the Patriots, the Houston Texans, the Denver Broncos, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Philadelphia Eagles, according to various reports.

After combing through a handful of prominent seven-round mock drafts, here are the projected draft-day scenarios for DeBary native Hunt.

Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network: 75th overall (Round 3) to Bears

Pro Football Network, of the seven-round drafts found, has the earliest selection for Hunt in the middle of Day 2.

Chicago stands a good chance of being one of the biggest winners of the 2024 draft, ready to walk away with USC quarterback and former Heisman winner Caleb Williams with Carolina’s previously traded No. 1 overall pick. The Bears significantly boosted their pass rush last season with the acquisition of Montez Sweat from Washington, and hope to challenge the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers for the NFC North title.

“He’ll need time to reach his ceiling, but Jalyx Hunt’s upside is enthralling with his speed, power, and bend,” Cummings wrote.

Chad Reuter, NFL.com: 90th overall (Round 3) to Cardinals

Reuter’s colleague, Lance Zierlein, grades Hunt as a fourth-round talent. But in this mock draft, Arizona jumps the line to fill a need on the edge.

Hunt scored well among his peers from an athleticism standpoint based on NFL combine testing results. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds, including a 1.6 10-yard split, completed 19 reps on the bench press (225 pounds) and posted a 37½-inch vertical jump.

Zaven Collins and Dennis Gardeck, Arizona’s starting pair of outside linebackers, both graded out among the top half of edge defenders in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.

Trevor Sikkema, PFF: 94th overall (Round 3) to 49ers

The reigning NFC champions are loaded with mid-round picks — including a trio of fourth-rounders (picks Nos. 124, 132 and 135). In this scenario, Hunt would join a deep group of pass-rushers, highlighted by four-time Pro Bowler and former No. 2 overall pick Nick Bosa.

On the whole, PFF is more bullish on Hunt than most pundits. He is the No. 86 overall player on its draft board after posting an 18.9% pass rush win rate in 2023.

Sikkema writes, “Though a bit undersized (arm length and wingspan are still great for an edge), Hunt packs a punch. He is strong at contact and can push back (offensive linemen) or even completely erase (tight ends). He is very explosive out of his stance to go with decent bend. He lacks a well-rounded pass-rush profile, likely because he really didn’t need one to dominate his competition level.”

Dane Brugler, The Athletic: 103rd overall (Round 4) to Patriots

New England could certainly use pass-rushing depth, as Chad Graff — The Athletic’s Patriots beat reporter — points out both Matthew Judon and Josh Uche are set to become free agents at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

In Bill Belichick’s final season as head coach, the Patriots ranked 27th in the league in sacks (36) and pass rush win rate (36%) per ESPN’s analytics.

Brugler ranks Hunt as the No. 139 overall prospect in the draft. In his analysis piece, Brugler wrote, “Hunt is overly reliant on his athletic gifts and needs to become savvier with his hands and pass-rush approach, but his explosiveness, body length and willingness to be coaches are attractive qualities. He is a draft-and-develop prospect who can fill a subpackage as a rookie and play special teams.”

Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: 122nd overall (Round 4) to Bears

This is the second time Hunt has been mocked to the Bears, albeit a round later in the eyes of CBS Sports’ Edwards.

Chicago acquired this selection — its fourth and final one, at the moment — in last year’s draft from Philadelphia when the Eagles moved up to pick Jalen Carter in the first round.

Matt Miller, ESPN: 133rd overall (Round 4) to Bills

Upon Hunt’s decision to accept an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl on Nov. 14, Miller described him as “your small school sleeper to fall in love with.”

He’s not the only ESPN analyst that has an affinity for Hunt, either. Mel Kiper Jr. listed him as one of his favorite outside linebackers in the class, adding, “Hunt is very raw, but we know NFL teams covet edge rushers, and he has intriguing traits. So, while I have a Round 3 grade on him, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go in Round 2.”

Buffalo has undergone a significant roster overhaul this offseason, jettisoning cornerback Tre’Davious White, safety Jordan Poyer and center Mitch Morse among others due to an initial salary cap deficit of nearly $40 million. Landing with the AFC East champs, though, would provide Hunt an opportunity to learn from future Hall of Famer Von Miller and partner with emerging star Greg Rousseau.