Potential Raiders Free Agent Targets: Javon Hargrave
As we look at free agents who might be available for the Las Vegas Raiders this off-season, it’s important to remember that they will be closely monitoring interior defensive linemen.
The Raiders need to find players who can stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback from the interior, as they did not have a presence like that on their defense last season.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s defenses have been known to have big, run-stuffing linemen, and there is one who will be a free agent in March, Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.
The Eagles have been one of the best defenses in the NFL this season, largely due to how dominant their defensive line has been. With a couple of contracts along that line set to expire in a couple of months, Hargrave could find himself on the open market. Let’s look at Hargrave’s career and see what type of contract he could command after this season.
Hargrave was selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of South Carolina State. He had an excellent career with the Bulldogs, recording 210 tackles and 37 sacks. He was a good player in Pittsburgh who improved every season, recording 168 tackles and 14.5 sacks in four years. He signed a contract with the Eagles, and his production did not drop off.
And 2022 has been Hargrave’s best season, as he posted a personal-best 11 sacks and ten tackles for losses. He has been a major reason the Eagles' defense has been one of the best in the league.
Hargrave is a defensive tackle who can rush the passer consistently, something rare for interior defensive linemen. Only Quinnen Williams and Daron Payne finished with more sacks than Hargrave from the interior. He is in line to earn a big payday this off-season, as he is about to turn 30 years old, and his production continues to improve.
This is the first full off-season for Dave Ziegler as general manager of the Raiders, and Hargrave's could be one of the first big-name free-agent contracts he hands out, as he did not do it last season, outside of extending Davante Adams after trading for him.
If Hargrave is available, Ziegler and company could take a hard look at offering him a big contract over multiple years.
The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST, is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. During that time, starting at 12 p.m. EST on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EST on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m EST on March 15.
The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EST on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.
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