If the Falcons want to end their five-year playoff drought in 2023, they need to improve along the defensive line. Grady Jarrett is a tremendous player, but he needs help up front if they hope to make it to the next level.
The best way to help Jarrett would be to add a veteran defensive lineman in free agency, and there should be plenty available this offseason. Thus far, we’ve looked at Dalvin Tomlinson and Marcus Davenport. Today, we examine Eagles defensive lineman Javon Hargrave.
Free-Agent: IDL Javon Hargrave
- Age: 30
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 305 lbs
- NFL Experience: 7 Years
Since joining the Eagles in 2020, Hargrave has over 150 total quarterback pressures. This is the kind of production the Falcons have been missing. In 2021, Hargrave recorded a career-high eight sacks. Then in 2022, he topped that with an 11-sack season as the Eagles finished atop the NFC.
Hargrave is just one of a number of Eagles players expected to hit the open market this offseason. Since Philadelphia is short on salary cap space, the team could be forced to let Hargrave and a few others walk. The Falcons have over $56 million in cap space, and they could afford to bring in someone like Hargrave to bolster their defensive line.
