Houston Texans Host Visit With Small-School Edge Rusher Jalyx Hunt

The Houston Texans already added to their pass rush this offseason, but a late-round addition could be in order after a small-school visit.

Former Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman (5) avoids the initial rush of Houston Christian LB Jalyx Hunt (13) / Gregg Pachkowski / gregg@pnj.com / USA

The Houston Texans have already made their biggest addition to their pass rush, signing former Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Danielle Hunter to a two-year deal worth $49 million.

They also added defensive linemen Denice Autry and Foley Fatukasi, both of whom project to be strong contributors between Hunter and rising star Will Anderson Jr.

Yet, Houston knows it can never have enough depth, especially at such a high-value position. Could it spend some additional capital on an edge rusher in the NFL Draft?

Former Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman (5) avoids the initial rush of Houston Christian LB Jalyx Hunt (13) / Gregg Pachkowski / gregg@pnj.com / USA

The Texans certainly have needs more pressing than another asset on the edge, but they may find themselves creating a surplus on Day 3. On Monday, they hosted a visit with Houston Christian edge rusher Jalyx Hunt.

Hunt, a small-school product with a history as a defensive back, could be a late riser in this draft process. Unsurprisingly, athleticism is at the core of his hype, and his testing numbers back it up. Hunt’s 4.64-yard 40-yard dash and 37.5-inch vertical are both elite for the position. His burst stands out, and he has long speed in spades.

However, his limited time as an edge rusher pairs with dangerous size concerns to stymie his draft stock. At 252 pounds and 19 reps on the bench, concerns about his functional strength and power as a pass rusher are significant. In turn, he may not be able to stay on the field for early downs, should the opportunity present itself.

Hunt hopes his athleticism will win teams over.

“I think it worked in my favor," Hunt told Aaron Wilson. "The times weren't what I wanted them to be, but I think I definitely showed within my movements, my speed in the drills, my versatility doing both linebacker and defensive line drills, that I can be very versatile and can play at the next level at a high speed."

Hunt’s history at other positions may ultimately be detrimental, holding his size and experience back. But that same versatility makes him useful in a variety of roles, making him more than a traditional edge rusher. While his peers in the defensive line room project better against the run, few—if any—can match his ability to carry a running back or tight end in coverage, or operate as a spy.

“I don't feel out of place," Hunt said. "I played receiver. I played corner. I played safety. All those things played into me becoming the player I am today. The speed off the ball, I learned how to use that along with my power to get a quick little punch at the line of scrimmage. I think it all works in tandem."

Hunt’s NFL fate is yet to be determined, but there’s a team bound to fall in love with the athletic upside. He may need some runway for development, but it wouldn’t be suspending to see him chasing down quarterbacks in the AFC South in the not-so-distant future.