Can the Commanders turn raw prospect Jalyx Hunt into a productive starter?

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2024 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Jalyx Hunt, DE/LB
School: Houston Christian | Conference: Southland
College Experience: Senior | Age: ?
Height / Weight: 6’4” / 252 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Rounds 4-6

Player Comparison: Arnold Ebiketie

College Statistics

Player Overview

Jalyx Hunt displayed his athleticism several ways in high school. He was a standout in track and field, basketball, and football. In the latter, Hunt contributed most at wide receiver, but also played cornerback. With only walk-on opportunities from many schools, Hunt chose to play at the school that guaranteed him a spot: Cornell. His freshman year, 2019, Hunt played backup safety and special teams. After his sophomore season was cancelled in 2020, Hunt saw more snaps in 2021 and made a larger impact for the Big Red. Before the 2022 season, Hunt decided to transfer to Houston Christian. Once there, Hunt moved from safety to defensive end and outside linebacker. It was the right move for Hunt as he was productive immediately. In 2023, Hunt won the Southland Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Strengths

• Long defender who keeps blockers off him with length
• Twitchy athlete that can win with quickness
• Has the ability to bend and flatten to the QB
• Flashes quick hands and well-timed swipes to get around OTs
• Can walk tackles back when he gets under their pads
• Closes well in the open field

Weaknesses

• Height makes it hard for him to maintain leverage
• Stays on blocks, even from smaller blockers, too long
• Inconsistent in rush plan, struggles with when to use moves
• Can hesitate attacking blockers
• GPS for football needs fine tuning

Let’s See His Work

How He Fits on the Commanders

The Commanders’ defensive end position is a little crowded. To go along with second-year players KJ Henry and Andre Jones, Jr., the team re-signed Efe Obada and added Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell, and Dante Fowler, Jr in free agency. However, with Obada, Ferrell, and Fowler, Jr. on one-year deals, the team could be looking for a developmental player in the draft.

The upside of Jalyx Hunt has to be enticing to coaches in the NFL. He is so raw at the position, but has so many of the desirable traits for a defender on the edge: length, burst, and ability to bend. A lot of that is owed to his background at safety. This background hurts him as his tendency to hesitate is based on reacting to the action in front of him as a defensive back. The other weaknesses might improve with more time at the position and more time in the weight room. He’d have a year with the Commanders where he’d play special teams and provide depth before being ready to play a more prominent role for the team.