Although he not too long ago turned 30 years outdated, defensive deal with Javon Hargrave ought to land a major deal when the free agent market opens in mid-March. Third contracts are a rarity across the NFL, however Hargrave has produced with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles. 2022 may need been the most effective season of his seven-year professional profession, organising a doubtlessly good-looking payday.
Javon Hargrave Agency Predictions
The Cleveland Browns Need Help at Defensive Tackle
For probably the most half, the Cleveland Browns haven’t been afraid to put money into their protection. Their roster is filled with former first-round picks like Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, and Greg Newsome, whereas they’ve additionally utilized free company (John Johnson III, Jadeveon Clowney) and the commerce market (Deion Jones) to complement their current expertise.
The one place group the place Cleveland has largely refused to commit sources is defensive deal with. While the Browns have used third- and fourth-round picks on prospects like Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai, and Perrion Winfrey, they haven’t expended exorbitant capital on their defensive inside.
MORE: 2023 NFL Free Agency Predictions
That method has created just a few points alongside the within of Cleveland’s entrance. No Browns defensive deal with managed greater than 23 pressures a season in the past, whereas Cleveland ranked twenty eighth in run protection DVOA.
Hargrave might assist resolve each of these issues. Despite his age, it doesn’t really feel like he’s hit a wall but, and he was among the many league’s finest at producing inside strain in 2022.
Plus, Hargrave labored with new Browns coordinator Jim Schwartz with the Eagles in 2020. After signing with Philadelphia that yr, Hargrave called Schwartz’s system a “dream come true” for defensive linemen, so he might mentor Cleveland’s younger defensive tackles on the finer factors of Schwartz’s scheme.
Hargrave Could Form a Lethal Rotation in Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bengals mission to enter the offseason with greater than $35 million in obtainable cap area, the sixth-most within the NFL. Potential extensions for Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, and Logan Wilson might eat into a few of that whole, however Cincinnati may have room so as to add at the least just a few exterior free brokers.
Offensive line often is the main want for Zac Taylor’s squad, however defensive deal with is a hidden space of concern. B.J. Hill performed the third-most snaps of any inside defender final season, whereas the Bengals could look to cut back D.J. Reader’s utilization after accidents value him time in each 2020 and 2021.
Cincinnati has different choices on the inside. Rookie Zach Carter flashed at instances, whereas waiver declare Jay Tufele made just a few good performs early within the season earlier than dropping off because the yr progressed. Instead of counting on these inexperienced gamers, the Bengals could select to fortify their defensive deal with rotation with a veteran like Hargrave.
A trifecta of Hargrave, Reader, and Hill would immediately give Cincinnati the most effective defensive deal with group within the NFL and take a little bit of strain off edge defenders Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. The beforehand gun-shy Bengals have been robust free agent gamers in every of the final three offseasons, and Hargrave could be icing on the cake for Lou Anarumo’s protection.
The Chicago Bears Nearly Signed a High-Profile DT in 2022
Last March, the Chicago Bears agreed to a three-year, $40.5 million contract with free agent defensive deal with Larry Ogunjobi. That pact, which contained greater than $26 million in ensures, was finally voided when Ogunjobi failed his bodily.
It won’t have made sense for a rebuilding workforce like Chicago to closely put money into an getting old defensive deal with. Fast ahead a yr, and the Bears don’t appear that a lot nearer to competing for division titles.
MORE: 2023 NFL Free Agency Start Date: When Does the Madness Kick Off?
However, common supervisor Ryan Poles now has almost $100 million in cap area at his disposal. That cash must be spent someplace, because the Bears should attain the NFL’s minimal spending thresholds. Even if a 30-year-old like Hargrave isn’t the most effective match for Chicago’s younger roster, we’ve already seen Poles attempt to add a veteran defensive deal with up to now 12 months.
The Bears, who’re spending the fourth-least cap area on the inside D-line, posted the NFL’s eighth-lowest blitz fee in 2022. Matt Eberflus needs his protection to get strain from the entrance 4, and Hargrave might assist Chicago’s entrance push the pocket from the within.
Hargrave Would Boost the Las Vegas Raiders’ Defensive Line
The Las Vegas Raiders could have to make use of a few of their $48 million in cap area to discover a quarterback and increase their offensive line, however they’ll have to spend a hefty quantity to repair a protection that gave up the fifth-most yards and seventh-most factors in 2022.
Las Vegas’ line of defense rotation was subpar final season, and the membership might lose Andrew Billings, Jerry Tillery, and Kyle Peko to free company. The Raiders may have loads of obtainable defensive deal with snaps to fill, and Hargrave would workforce with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones to present Vegas a fearsome line of defense.
Last offseason, Las Vegas largely shunned coming into the free agent market. They made an enormous splash by buying Davante Adams from the Green Bay Packers, however Jones was their solely free agent addition who signed a deal value greater than $6 million yearly.
Now that common supervisor Dave Ziegler has a full offseason and ample cap room to work with, he and Josh McDaniels might get to work fixing the Raiders’ protection. Hargrave could be a superb on-field addition, however given his expertise with profitable groups in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, he might additionally assist change the tradition in Las Vegas.
Javon Hargrave Market Value, Career Stats, and More
The Eagles almost broke the all-time NFL sack report in 2022, and Hargrave was a central a part of that effort. Only three defensive tackles — Chris Jones, Quinnen Williams, and Daron Payne — posted extra sacks than Hargrave’s 12, whereas Jones and Dexter Lawrence had been the one inside gamers with extra pressures.
Spotrac calculates Hargrave’s market worth at $20.1 million. Among defensive tackles, that may rank behind simply Aaron Donald, Leonard Williams, and DeForest Buckner on a per-year foundation.
Hargrave has the manufacturing to validate that price ticket, however I do marvel if groups could be cautious of handing that a lot money to a participant on the improper aspect of 30. However, tier-one defensive tackles can typically have lengthy careers, and Hargrave is a difference-maker. If the Commanders franchise Daron Payne, Hargrave would be the finest defensive deal with available on the market.
MORE: NFL Salary Cap Space by Team
Could Hargrave re-sign with the Eagles? Potentially, however Philadelphia solely has $6 million in cap area and restricted avenues to create extra respiration room. General supervisor Howie Roseman admitted after the Eagles’ Super Bowl loss that it is going to be troublesome for the membership to retian their lengthy checklist of defensive free brokers.
“I think we go into [the offseason] with that understanding that it’s going to be impossible to keep every single person on this team,” Roseman mentioned. “But we’re here to compete.”
Reports have already indicated the Eagles need to cling onto younger free agents like safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, in order that they may very well be prepared to say goodbye to a veteran like Hargrave.
Javon Hargrave Career Stats
- Games: 111
- Tackles: 329
- Sacks: 37.5
- Forced Fumbles: 4
