Four years later, Hargrave glad to finally be in Philly
One of the crown jewels of the Eagles’ offseason, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, introduced himself during a conference call.
Hargrave thought he was headed to the Eagles in 2016 after a stellar career at South Carolina State, where he tied the FCS record with six sacks in a win over Bethune-Cookman. Instead it was the Pittsburgh Steelers who took him off the board in the third round of that NFL draft.
“I think that game put me on the map,” Hargrave said of his record-setting day. “I think the Eagles
were the most interested. I felt welcome, that they really wanted me.”
The Eagles traded a small handful of draft picks, including a second-rounder, to trade up in the 2016 draft for quarterback Carson Wentz. Though Hargrave still was available in the third round, the Eagles rolled with offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo, their starter the last two seasons at left guard. Seumalo came off the board at 79 overall, Hargrave at 89. And now they’re teammates.
Hargrave (6-2, 305 pounds) has 14.5 sacks in four seasons, including 10.5 the past two seasons.
Hargrave is looking forward to lining up with Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson, the latter of whom played in just one game last season due to a Lisfranc fracture.
Hargrave is an interesting prospect in that he clearly helped open the edges for Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt, who had career seasons in terms of sacks with the Steelers. Dupree is coming off an 11.5-sack season with four forced fumbles, two recoveries and 16 tackles for loss. The Steelers slapped Dupree with the $16 million franchise tag for outside linebackers.
Watt also benefited from the presence of Hargrave, who played a career-high 680 snaps. Watt recorded 14.5 sacks.
Hargrave would have been a lot cheaper on a rookie contract. The Eagles handed him a threeyear pact worth $39 million, with up to $26 million guaranteed. The deal is contingent on passing a physical.
The Eagles also re-signed defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway and added safety Will Parks (Denver Broncos) linebacker Jatavis Brown (Los Angeles Chargers) in free agency.
Hargrave cannot wait to lift off in the Eagles’ full steam ahead scheme.
“I just get off the ball and get up the field,” Hargrave said. “That was kind of what I was known for in college that’s just something that really fits me. I want to show I can do it.”