Tag: Javon Hargrave

Steelers DT Javon Hargave gets new agent ahead of free-agent payday

Javon Hargrave has hired Drew Rosenhaus to be his agent.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is about to become a very rich young man. The former third-round pick is preparing to sign a huge contract this offseason. In preparation for it, Hargrave signed with agent Drew Rosenhaus and his agency. If he was looking to maximize his market value this offseason, this is how you do it.

If you only pay attention to the boxscores, you don’t understand just how impactful Hargrave has been for the Steelers the last two seasons. Hargrave’s ability to disrupt the middle of an offensive line, whether it’s with his quickness or power is elite. Some games last season he was the best defensive lineman on the field for either team.

Hargrave, along with linebacker Bud Dupree are the two big free-agent decisions the Steelers will have to make this offseason. It would be ideal if Pittsburgh could keep both but given the option, Hargrave could be a little cheaper and would be more challenging to replace.

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7 free agent defensive line fits for the Cardinals

Arizona has a need along the defensive line – the good news is that there are quite a few good free agents that seem to be good fits.

With free agency around the corner, let’s go take a look at a huge position of need for Arizona – the defensive line. And there are quite a few good fits in what appears to be a somewhat deep group of free agents:

Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

It’s obvious what Jones would possibly mean to Arizona, but it goes without saying he would be a great fit as a 3-4 DE and would add instant star power to the Cards defensive line.

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Panthers 2020 potential free agent target profile: DT Javon Hargrave

During his 63-game career, Hargrave has totaled 168 tackles, 14.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss.

It’s no secret the 2019 Carolina Panthers defense struggled. The transition from a 4-3 base defense to a 3-4 base did not work out as planned, in part because defensive tackles Kawann Short and Dontari Poe were injured. Looking ahead, Gerald McCoy, Kyle Love and Vernon Butler are all set to become free agents. Poe is also a team option for 2020.

Due to those circumstances, the Panthes will likely need to reload at the position this offseason. So, our third 2020 potential free agent target profile is Steelers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (6-foot-2, 305 pounds), a product of South Carolina State University.

Career stats

Hargrave is just 26 years old and has been a solid, productive and consistent defender for Pittsburgh since being picked No. 89 overall in the 2016 NFL draft. During his 63-game career, Hargrave has totaled 168 tackles, 14.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss.

Pros

Hargrave is fresh off of his best year as a Steeler. He played a career-high 62.9% of the team’s defensive snaps and racked up 60 tackles. He was ranked the eighth-best interior defensive lineman by Pro Football Focus. He’s been a force at nose tackle for a Steelers defense that has ranked in the top 15 against the run since 2016. Hargraves’ strength, tenacity and a low center of gravity makes him a perfect fit for a team that struggled immensely against the run last year. He’s also a threat to get to the quarterback. He finished with a 14.2% pressure rate in 2019. That put him third behind Aaron Donald and Chris Jones among all interior linemen.

Cons

Hargrave only played 62.9% of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps last year and that was a career-high. The question is if he can handle more playing time. If Hargrave wants top money, he will need to prove he can stay on the field more often. Also, this is a strong DT free agent market, so Carolina can probably find an alternative at a cheaper price. This is Hargrave’s first opportunity to get a lucrative contract and chances are he won’t be taking a discount.

Probability: Medium

If the Panthers bring back Poe it would not make much sense to add another nose tackle. However, if they decide to let Poe walk, Hargrave would fit in well next to Short in the interior DL rotation. The decision on whether or not to spend money on Hargrave ultimately boils down to the team-building philosophy of coach Matt Rhule and to-be-named defensive coordinator Phil Snow.

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PFF calls Bud Dupree overvalued, Javon Hargrave undervalued as free agents

PFF breaks down two of the Steelers top free agents.

Two Pittsburgh Steelers defensive starters are preparing to potentially high free agency in March. Outside linebacker Bud Dupree and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave were key components of the Steelers 2019 defense and because of this are going to be eyeing big paydays in the offseason. But are they worth it?

The smart folks over at Pro Football Focus decided to dig into the sack numbers of the top free-agent defenders and assign them either the label of overvalued and undervalued. And the Steelers landed one of each.

PFF considers Dupree overvalued in the free-agent market based on his sack numbers. Here’s what PFF had to say about Dupree’s numbers in terms of sacks compared to pressure rate.

What should concern the Steelers when looking at the potential of re-signing Dupree, along with other potential suitors, is that his pressure rate for 2019 sits at only 10.1%. That ranks 70th among edge rushers, tied with Cassius Marsh and John Simon. Dupree’s sack total with a pressure rate that low and a four-year track record of subpar production as a pass-rusher should bring reason for pause for NFL teams this offseason.

Meanwhile, PFF considers Hargrave, a pure nose tackle undervalued in the free-agent market. This is what PFF had to say about Hargrave’s impressive season.

Hargrave’s pressure rate of 14.2% this season fell behind only Aaron Donald and Chris Jones at the interior defender position. The Steelers are stacked at interior defender with Cameron Heyward, Tuitt, Hargrave, and Tyson Alualu, who had a career-high PFF overall grade of 80.1 in 2019. It remains to be seen if they’ll prioritize bringing back Hargrave because of that, but whoever ends up with him will have a prime candidate for a breakout player.

It’s hard to disagree with either of these. Dupree had a huge 2019 season but it was literally all or nothing each week. If he didn’t get a sack he really didn’t offer much in terms of pressure. And his all-around game didn’t show much improvement at all. A case could be made the work of T.J. Watt on the other side actually boosted Dupree’s production.

As for Hargrave, I really hope the Steelers sign him back. His work doesn’t always show up in the boxscores but you can just watch him work over interior offensive lineman. His strength was better this year along with his conditioning and it really showed down the stretch.

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6 free agents Colts should consider signing this offseason

Colts should be active in free agency this offseason.

There may still be two games left to play for the Indianapolis Colts (6-8) before the season ends, but they were officially eliminated from playoff contention following the embarrassing 34-7 loss against the New Orleans Saints (11-3) on Monday night.

Now that the Colts are officially out of the playoffs, much of the focus will shift to the development of the younger players on the roster and the options available for the front office during the offseason.

While it remains to be seen if any of these players will be re-signed by their respective teams, we will be taking a look at six free agents the Colts should consider signing if they hit the market:

AP Photo/Roger Steinman

WR Amari Cooper
2019 stats: 14 games, 71 receptions, 1,073 yards, eight touchdowns, 15.1 yards per catch

The Colts desperately need to splurge at the wide receiver position. Given the injuries amounting in the room and T.Y. Hilton getting up there in age, it is time for general manager Chris Ballard to add some elite talent to the room. That’s where Cooper comes in.

Though it is no guarantee the 26-year-old will hit the market, Ballard should be all over him if he does. Cooper’s talent would be a perfect fit for the scheme because his talent transcends scheme. He could plug right into the X-receiver role while Hilton works as the Z.

The Colts need to find a future WR1 for their offense and if Cooper hits the market, they shouldn’t afraid to splurge.

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