NFL Free Agency: Who are the 25 best players on the market?
21. DT Javon Hargrave
Hargrave, a third-round pick out of South Carolina State in 2016, has progressed nicely over four seasons with the Steelers (63 games-52 starts) and will now cash in as a free agent.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has suggested somewhere in the $14 million per year range. That matches up to Spotrac’s market value projection of $14.7 million, with comps based on age and recent production (before signing) that include Fletcher Cox, Grady Jarrett, Jurrell Casey and Sheldon Richardson.
Over the last two seasons, Hargrave has 10.5 sacks, 13 tackles of loss and 14 quarterback hits. Pro Football Focus credited him with 49 quarterback pressure last year alone, and he also compiled 60 total tackles.
A one-technique nose tackle with some pass-rushing chops is a rare breed, and if Hargrave lands somewhere where he sees more snaps on passing downs there’s upside to be cultivated. A bigger overall role, since he played more than 50 percent of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps for the first time last year (63 percent), is also surely coming on a new team.
https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/1170875670106271745?s=20
Check out the hand usage, ability to turn the corner by Javon Hargrave on his second sack. Special ability for a nose tackle. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/o282XMkD5N
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) November 19, 2018
Hargrave comes with a solid level of risk, with the projected contract numbers that are out there stretching into being unbelievable. But he is firmly in his prime at 27 years old, and there will be teams willing to bet on his upside.