Over the next few weeks leading up to training camp, we’ll be counting down the top 25 most important Eagles for the 2026 season.

25. Eli Stowers
24. Marcus Epps
23. Dontayvion Wicks
22. Tyler Steen
21. Moro Ojomo
20. Drew Mukuba
19. Jihaad Campbell
18. Nolan Smith
17. Jalyx Hunt

If Jalyx Hunt takes the same jump in Year 3 that he took in Year 2 … watch out. 

When the Eagles drafted Hunt in the third round of the 2024 draft out of Houston Christian, he was considered a raw prospect. He was someone who was a safety at Cornell just a few years earlier. But Hunt became a rotational piece in the Super Bowl year and followed it up with a huge season in Year 2.

Hunt last season led the Eagles in sacks (6 1/2) and interceptions (3) — just proving how uniquely talented he really is. He’s the first Eagles player to ever do that.

“He’s had a nice progression,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said this spring. “I see him growing his game in all aspects. I think he can and will rush better. He’ll play the run better. It’s just the natural progression. He’s had a good progression. 

“In his rookie year, he didn’t play a lot early. Then when [Brandon Graham] went down, he started playing more, and I thought for a guy with his background, was kind of a perfect year for him. He ended up playing a good bit if you remember in the playoffs, et cetera. Then last year played a lot, did good. Yeah, I think he’s just ready to keep getting better and better.”

It’s amazing how much growth we’ve already seen from Hunt in his two years in the NFL. In his first two NFL games, Hunt didn’t see a single snap on defense. By the end of his rookie season, he was a legitimate part of the edge rusher rotation.

And then last season, Hunt was the Eagles’ most productive edge rusher. In addition to his 6 1/2 sacks, Hunt also led the group with a pressure rate of 17.3%.

2024: 241 snaps (25%), 1 1/2 sacks, 3 QB hits, 0 INTs, 1 TFL, 2 FFs
2025: 693 snaps (62%), 6 1/2 sacks, 14 QB hits, 3 INTs, 9 TFLs, 2 FFs

This offseason, the Eagles went out and traded for Jonathan Greenard to be their top-of-the-rotation edge rusher. But don’t sleep on Hunt’s ceiling in 2026.

Greenard called Hunt a “freak” and marveled at watching Hunt’s pick-6 against the Vikings last year.

“He’s an athlete and how young he is and where his game could really go is crazy,” Greenard said.