NFL Free Agency kicked off this past week and the Eagles made some much needed updates to the defensive side of the football.

Victor Williams beautifully recapped the trade we made for Darius Slay Jr here. 

I’m here to talk about “The Grave Digger” Javon Hargrave.

Former Steelers’ NT Javon Hargrave reached agreement with the Eagles on a three-year, $39m deal with $26M fully guaranteed, @RosenhausSports tells ESPN. Hargrave becomes the highest paid nose tackle in the NFL.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020

Hargrave is 27 years old and has spent his career on the other side of PA in Pittsburgh. The Steelers drafted him in the 3rd round in 2016 out of South Carolina. He started 52 of 63 games for the Steelers.

Hargrave’s contract will make him the highest paid nose tackle in the league averaging around $13 million per year. It will make him the 6th highest-paid player on the Eagles.

Over the last two seasons:

• 109 tackles
• 10.5 sacks
• 49 QB pressures on 345 pass rushes. (3rd highest pass rush productivity among NFL DTs in 2019).

Career:

• 17 sacks
• 90 run stops
• 94 QB hurries

The Eagles only had 43 sacks last season (10 alone in the Jets game) – 422 quarterback pressures were their lowest since 2016.

Hargrave should help bolster those numbers. Hargrave is 27 years old and is entering his prime. He and Fletcher Cox should be absolutely dominant on the defensive line. Add Brandon Graham to the equation and factor in a healthy Malik Jackson as a rotational pass rusher – the Eagles defense is shaping up to be dominant in 2020.

Try blocking both Javon Hargrave AND Fletcher Cox 👀😂 pic.twitter.com/gQX2YCTHko

— Gayle Saunders (@EagleSessions) March 17, 2020

Thanks Howie.