Although the Eagles lost the face of their defense on Sunday when Brandon Graham tore his Achilles, their defensive line is still in good hands. Josh Sweat continues to improve, receiving a hefty extension while Derek Barnett and Fletcher Cox provide consistency on one of the league’s best lines for the last several years. But none of these guys have been more crucial to the team’s success than defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.

Javon Hargrave was panned during his first few games in Philly, being very ineffective after receiving a big contract in free agency. But during the second half of the season, he stepped it up and looked like the nose tackle the Eagles were looking for.  

In 2020, Javon Hargrave tied his career-high for QB hits with 8. Hargrave averaged 5.5 tackles for loss during the four previous years, and he finished with 5 in 2020. Even in sacks, his career average was 3.6, and he finished with 4.5, which is the second-most in his career.

To start the 2021 season, Javon Hargrave is on pace for a career season. In just the first four plays against San Francisco, Hargrave had two tackles for loss, bringing his total to four this season. In his six-year career, Hargrave’s career-high in TFL is seven. The NFL record for most tackles for loss in a season is 26, so averaging 1.4 a game isn’t out of the picture at all currently.

Javon Hargrave also has 12 tackles through two games and has a career-high of 60 tackles in a season. Both of these records are likely to be shattered by mid-season at this pace. Hargrave also has two sacks (career-high of 6.5) and four pressures (career-high of 17).

Putting up these numbers through two games is insane, and in both games, he has rag-dolled the opposing team’s guards nearly every play. Even with the loss of Brandon Graham, if Hargrave keeps up this pace, they still will be a top-five defensive line in football. 

It’ll be exciting to see if Javon Hargrave can keep up this pace as the season goes on. If he plays at least 80% of the way he did against Atlanta and San Fran, a Pro-Bowl appearance will be in Hargrave’s future very soon.

Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Eagles