Is Steelers Javon Hargrave better than any defensive tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft class?

The Steelers are going to be losing Javon Hargrave this offseason, but here’s why he might be a better option at defensive tackle than anyone in the 2020 draft class.

Since the beginning of the 2019 season, all signs were pointing to the Steelers losing defensive tackle Javon Hargrave in free agency once his rookie contract expired. Pittsburgh was already investing a ton of resources into their defensive line. Cameron Heyward was a former first-round pick and Stephon Tuitt was taken in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Both have yearly salaries reaching upwards of $13 million per season, according to Over the Cap.

When Hargrave signed with notorious NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus last month, that sealed the deal for his departure. Though Hargrave was only ever a part-time player for the Steelers who rotated in along their defensive line, his presence could be missed more than you might realize.

Thinking of all Hargrave was able to do for Pittsburgh got me thinking: Is he a better player than any defensive tackle set to go in the 2020 NFL Draft?

This notion seems like a stretch at first, but it really isn’t once you dive into it. The top defensive tackle prospects this year are Auburn’s Derrick Brown and South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw. Both players possess terrific bulk and more length than Hargrave could ever dream of. However, neither are without their flaws.

Brown is a mammoth of a defensive tackle. At 6’5” and 326 pounds with 34 1/4” arms, he possesses prototype measurables for the position. Brown was an absolute anchor in the middle of Auburn’s defense and he often bullied interior offensive linemen from the snap. Though he is slated to be a top fifteen pick this April, Brown lacks the pure pass rush prowess to be a major threat on third downs at the next level.

Kinlaw’s physique is equally as impressive (6’5” and 324 pounds with 34 7/8” arms). Unlike Brown, Kinlaw flashed more ability as a pass rusher in college. He used his long arms and surprising athleticism to get past offensive linemen and change the direction of the play. Kinlaw, however, was a liability against the run at times and he will require excellent coaching in the NFL if he is to reach his potential.

Though Hargrave may not have the size or length (6’1” and 309 pounds with 32” arms) as the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2020 NFL draft, he is a player who has proved his worth on every down and in both phases of the game.

Over the past few years, Javon Hargrave proved his worth to the team. As a 0-technique in the middle, he has the leverage and strength to anchor against the run. However, he was hardly limited to early-down work. In fact, Hargrave was probably at his best when getting after the quarterback as a 3-technique in sub-packages. His ability to explode off the ball and knife into the backfield is uncanny for a man his size.

In 2019, Hargrave graded out as Pro Football Focus’s 8th best interior defensive lineman in the league with an overall grade of 83.4. This was above players like DeForest Buckner, Geno Atkins, and Vita Vea.

Despite playing just 44 percent of snaps in 2018 and 63 percent of snaps in 2019, Hargrave managed 10.5 sacks and 13 tackles for a loss in his last two seasons. While his stats are unspectacular, NFL teams know what he is worth. According to Spotrac.com, Hargrave is projected to make around $14.7 million per season on the open market.

I’m not saying that Derrick Brown or Javon Kinlaw couldn’t be better players than Hargrave in the NFL. However, with his blend of power against the run and pass rush prowess, Hargrave might be a better player than any defensive tackle in the 2020 draft class. It’s a shame Pittsburgh is going to lose him this year.