Javon Hargrave, who recently completed his first season with the San Francisco 49ers, may not have put up the same impressive numbers he did while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. However, despite a relatively quiet season, the 31-year-old defensive tackle has managed to secure a spot among the top-10 players in his position in the NFL.
According to a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, a panel of scouts, coaches, and executives voted on the best defensive tackles in the league, with Hargrave making the cut despite his less-than-stellar performance in his debut season with the 49ers. One NFC executive pointed out that although Hargrave’s production dipped, his ability to rush the passer effectively has not diminished.
“He’s always had a deep rush toolbox with a good feel to affect the QB,” the executive said. “He was a little quieter when we prepared for him than he was in Philly, but he remains an issue as an interior rusher.”
DeForest Buckner, a former 49ers defensive tackle, was ranked ahead of Hargrave at No. 8 on the list. Buckner has continued to showcase the dominant skills that earned him recognition in the league since his time with San Francisco.
During the 2023 NFL season, Hargrave recorded seven sacks, a drop from the 11 sacks he achieved the previous year with the Eagles. Despite this decrease in production, he still managed to earn a spot in the Pro Bowl in his first season with the 49ers. Throughout the regular season, he tallied eight tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits.
As the 49ers aim to maintain their impressive defensive record with a sixth consecutive season in the top-10 rankings for total defense, Hargrave’s contributions will be crucial. His presence on the team’s defense will be key to their success as they strive to remain a formidable force in the league.