Hargrave ranked top 10 DT despite 49ers’ ‘quieter’ season originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Javon Hargrave first season with the 49ers fell short of the gaudy numbers he posted with the Philadelphia Eagles, but the 31-year-old still remains among the NFL’s most respected defensive tackles by those in the league.
On a exclusive from ESPN’s Jeremy FowlerScouts, coaches and executives voted on who they believe are the best defensive tackles in the NFL, with Hargrave earning a top-10 nod despite a negative rookie campaign in San Francisco.
An NFC executive explained that although Hargrave’s production declinedhis pass rush skill set remains as dangerous as ever.
“He’s always had a deep toolbox with a good feel for affecting the QB,” the NFC exec told Fowler. “He was a little quieter when we prepared for him than he was in Philadelphia, but he remains a problem as an interior lineman.”
Among the nine players classified as Hargrave’s boss was former 49ers defensive end DeForest Bucknerwho was ranked 8th after continuing to display the dominance that made him a household name after entering the league with San Francisco.
Hargrave recorded seven sacks during the 2023 NFL season, a notable drop from the career-high 11 he recorded a year earlier with the Eagles, leading to a lucrative free agent contract of the 49ers.
Even with the drop in numbers, Hargrave still earned Pro Bowl honors during his first season in San Francisco, recording eight tackles for loss and 14 QB hits in 16 regular season games.
Hargrave’s continued impact on the 49ers’ defense will be key as San Francisco seeks its sixth consecutive season in the top 10 in total defense.
