Of the names expected to break out at Philadelphia Eagles training camp this summer, rookie Jalyx Hunt wasn’t high on the list.
Apparently, it’s time to tear up the list and start over.
Viewed as a project pick in the third round out of Houston Christian College from the Southland Conference, Hunt has looked better than expected while running on the second team with 2023 first-round pick Nolan Smith.
So much so, Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal has crowned Hunt as the Eagles’ outright best rookie so far. And Shamus Clancy of Philly Voice gave the rookie a game ball and wrote the following: "He was blowing guys up. Backup tight ends chipping to help on him did little to slow him down. "
An early breakout isn’t going to reshape the depth chart for the Eagles. But Hunt developing faster than expected could provide some nice depth to the pass-rushing rotation.
It certainly helps the long-term outlook, too, as Brandon Graham gets ready to retire, Josh Sweat plays out the final year of his contract, Bryce Huff is a newcomer yet to play in the system and Smith has yet to experience a breakout of his own to match his draft slotting.