Day 2 – Moving Day
Posted: April 27th, 2024 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | No Comments »Welcome to Uncle Howie’s Trading Post. That’s what Day 2 of the 2024 draft felt like. The Eagles entered the day with a pair of second round picks (50 & 53). Things changed pretty quickly.
The Eagles traded up to pick 40. They took DB Cooper DeJean.
They gave up 50 and 53 to get that pick, but got pick 78 as part of the return. When it came time to make that selection, the Eagles moved back to pick 86. When that spot came up, Howie moved back again. This time he went to 94.
The Eagles then took edge rusher Jalyx Hunt.
The Eagles entered the day with two picks. They left with two players and two new fourth round picks.
DB Cooper DeJean – Iowa – 6-1, 202
The Eagles had DeJean as one of their first round targets. They took Quinyon Mitchell at pick 22, but DeJean was high on their board. There was a run on WRs and DTs to open the second round. DeJean slid back as teams focused on other spots. Howie worked the phones and was able to move up to 40 to get DeJean. That was great timing. There was a run on CBs right after they took DeJean. He wasn’t going to fall much farther.
If you’re looking for a basic description for DeJean – versatile playmaker. He lined up at CB, S and nickel at Iowa. He was an outstanding punt returner. DeJean has terrific ball skills. He picked off 7 passes and broke up 20 in his career. He will hit and tackle. DeJean has good instincts, but is also athletic. You don’t always find DBs with both traits. He ran 4.44 at his Pro Day and had a 38.5-inch vertical.
Watch DeJean in action and you’ll see his playmaking skills.
I’m guessing the Eagles may have him focus on the slot initially. They drafted Quinyon Mitchell at 22 and he’s an outside corner. The team checked out a lot of slot guys in the pre-draft process.
The Eagles secondary was a hot mess last year. They added youth, speed and talent in Mitchell and DeJean.
*****
Edge Jalyx Hunt – Houston Christian – 6-4, 252
I did not want the Eagles to spend an early pick on an edge rusher. I’m fine with Hunt for a few reasons. First, he was pick 94. I didn’t want a Top 60 pick going for a rusher because the Eagles have depth and talent right now. Hunt is a developmental project so he’s not going to play a lot this year.
Don’t be scared by the phrase “developmental project”. A few people compared him to Davion Taylor. They are completely different. Taylor wasn’t allowed to play football due to religious reasons. He got in a year in high school and then played at Colorado. Hunt has played sports since he was a kid. He played a lot of football. His issue is that he was physically a late bloomer. Hunt was a WR/DB. He went to Cornell and kept growing. He finished his career as an edge rusher…at 6-4, 252.
Hunt is a gifted athlete.
Jalyx Hunt was drafted in round 3 pick 94 in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.22 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 141 out of 1798 DE from 1987 to 2024. https://t.co/r7ZZttioWa pic.twitter.com/q9Syy4u36w
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 27, 2024
A look at #HoustonChristian EDGE rusher Jalyx Hunt, from NFL Network's highlight package. Hunt can run the hoop with the best of them. pic.twitter.com/pSXTd67oEq
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) April 27, 2024
One thing Jalyx Hunt isn’t afraid to do is strap up and HIT.
PHYSICAL ballplayer that should improve quickly within a talented Eagles front seven.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 27, 2024
Hunt’s game tape is tough to evaluate because he played so few guys with good ability. Watch the clip above and focus on his raw ability, not the result of the play. You see a guy with serious quickness, great burst and impressive closing speed. You see terrific agility. Watch the Senior Bowl clip and you see a physical player. He took on a guy almost 70 pounds heavier and stood him up.
Hunt has the physical tools to be a starting edge rusher in the NFL. He needs work because he isn’t a polished pass rusher. The Eagles brought him to Philly for a visit. Vic Fangio hit it off with Hunt and really wanted a chance to coach him. This isn’t a late round shot in the dark. The Eagles did their homework and believe in this guy.
Howie Roseman made a great point in his PC. He and the personnel department made sure the coaches wanted Hunt. You need organizational buy-in for a small school guy to succeed. Go back to Davion Taylor. He wasn’t a small school guy, but was a project. The scouts and coaches were not on the same page. You can see the results.
I had Hunt as a fourth rounder. Here are some of my notes on him:
Senior Bowl. Trf from Cornell. Former safety moved to LB and edge. Played a lot in space and you could see his DB background. Gifted athlete. Raw as a pass rusher, but has a lot of natural ability. Elusive, explosive and agile. Good motor. Chases plays all over the field. Has good closing speed. Will appeal to teams who want a 3-4 LB that can rush and drop. 4-3 teams might look at him as a SAM and situational rusher.
I’m fine with taking him at 94. Some people were higher on him than I was. Daniel Jeremiah had him as the #64 overall player in the class.
*****
The Eagles have a lot of picks on Day 3.
4 – 120
4 – 123
4 – 132
5 – 152
5 – 171
5 – 172
6 – 210
Howie said the Eagles like the fourth round and you can see that in how they stockpiled picks. They will have the option to move up if they want. I could see the Eagles keeping all the picks and trying to load up on potential depth pieces.
*****
My only complaint with Day 2 is not getting a LB, but they will have multiple chances to get one in the fourth round.
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