Jalyx Hunt: The NFL’s Best Kept Secret
The Philadelphia Eagles have been linked in trade rumors to several top edge rushers in recent years, including Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby. But what if the Eagles already have a rising star edge rusher that isn’t getting enough attention? Jalyx Hunt could be the NFL’s best kept secret.
When the Eagles selected Hunt in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, many were confused by the team’s decision. Why in the world did Philadelphia use a top-100 draft pick on an edge rusher from Houston Christian? After all of the franchise’s recent success drafting prospects from big schools, it seemed odd.
Hunt made the move from safety to edge rusher in 2022 and saw his draft stock skyrocket after being named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. The 25-year-old edge rusher was still relatively new to the position when he arrived to the City of Brotherly Love in 2024. Yet fast forward to 2026 and Hunt has quickly exceeded everyone’s expectations in Philadelphia.
Entering his rookie season with the Eagles, Hunt was fifth (at best) in Philadelphia’s edge rusher rotation. He was stuck behind Josh Sweat, Bryce Huff, Brandon Graham and Nolan Smith Jr. In fact, Hunt played just 17 total defensive snaps through the first nine weeks of the regular season during his rookie year.
After Huff suffered a groin injury and fell out of favor in Philadelphia’s edge rusher rotation, Hunt worked his way into a bigger role. During Philadelphia’s run to winning Super Bowl LIX, Hunt recorded 10 total tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in four playoff games. It was clear that Hunt earned the trust of Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio down the final stretch of his rookie season.
Entering year two, Hunt was expected to play a bigger role in Philadelphia. While the Eagles eventually traded for Jaelan Phillips ahead of the trade deadline, Hunt took another step forward in 2025. While Smith battled injury, Hunt developed into a consistent force off the edge for the Eagles and posted some eye-opening numbers. Hunt surprisingly led Philadelphia in both sacks (6.5) and interceptions (3).
Hunt’s unique stat-line in year two is a rarity in the NFL these days. Since 2014, only six players have recorded six or more sacks and three or more interceptions in a single season. Only three of those players were primarily edge rushers:
Laiatu Latu, IND (2025)
Jalyx Hunt, PHI (2025)
Aidan Hutchinson, DET (2022)
As a former third-round pick, that’s noteworthy company for Hunt to join. Both Latu and Hutchinson are former first-round picks that were selected within the first half of the round. Hunt also reached those marks in less snaps than both of those players. Hunt played 722 total defensive snaps in 2025, while Latu played 755 total defensive snaps in 2025 and Hutchinson played 953 total snaps in 2022.
Hunt was also recorded a higher pressure rate than both Latu and Hutchinson during their respective seasons with six or more sacks and three or more interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, here are the total pressures and pass rushing snaps for all three players:
Jalyx Hunt, PHI: 60 total pressures in 360 pass rushing snaps (16.6%)
Laiatu Latu, IND: 61 total pressures in 437 pass rushing snaps (14.9%)
Aidan Hutchinson, DET: 53 total pressures in 566 pass rushing snaps (9.3%)
But wait…there’s more! In 2025, only 21 players recorded 60 or more total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Hunt was the only player among that group that recorded 60 or more total pressures in less than 400 pass rushing snaps. Only six of those players had a higher pressure rate than Hunt in 2025:
Will Anderson Jr., HOU: 102 total pressures in 529 pass rushing snaps (19.2%)
Nik Bonitto, DEN: 81 total pressures in 460 pass rushing snaps (17.6%)
Jaelan Phillips, PHI: 76 total pressures in 437 pass rushing snaps (17.3%)
Micah Parsons, GB: 75 total pressures in 436 pass rushing snaps (17.2%)
Josh Hines-Allen, JAX: 100 total pressures in 592 pass rushing snaps (16.8%)
Tui Tuipulotu, LAC: 75 total pressures in 445 pass rushing snaps (16.8%)
Once again, that’s noteworthy company for Hunt to be listed alongside. Will Anderson Jr. and Micah Parsons are literally the two highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL (in average per year). Jaelan Phillips is 10th, Josh Hines-Allen is 11th and Nik Bonitto is 15th. Tuipulotu is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract.
Given that many are clamoring for the Eagles to trade for an elite, big-name edge rusher…what if they already have a homegrown one in Philadelphia? Hunt could be exactly what certain fans are begging for. Yet in today’s world that is in search of instant gratification, we can lose sight of what’s right in front of us.
Hunt has taken several massive steps forward in just his first two years with the Eagles. My guess is that both Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and Fangio are ecstatic about Hunt’s development thus far. While the rest of the NFL and even some Eagles fans may be continuing to sleep on Hunt, they’ll wake up soon enough.