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Washington Redskins 2016 Draft Profiles: Javon Hargrave, DT

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2016 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Redskins.

By Gabe Ward
Mike Carlson/Getty Images

Javon Hargrave, DT
School: South Carolina State | Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
College Experience: Senior | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 309 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd Round
NFL Comparison: Kawann Short

College Statistics

Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
2012 South Carolina State MEAC FR DT 11 26 19 45 4.5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013 South Carolina State MEAC SO DT 11 27 24 51 12.5 5.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
2014 South Carolina State MEAC JR DT 12 47 8 55 24 16 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3
2015 South Carolina State MEAC SR DT 11 43 16 59 22 13.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

Player Overview

Javon Hargrave is a wrecking ball on the interior defensive line. He's a powerful, compact player that converts his speed and quickness to power perhaps better than any defensive line prospect in this draft. He's extremely athletic for his size and what may be most impressive is his ability to maintain balance, leverage, footwork, and his power while sifting and slicing through offensive linemen. Hargrave shows urgency, motor, and great vision as a penetrating DT. The statistics back up the theory that he isn't easily fooled in the backfield and can get there fast and disrupt a play as he's recorded 73 tackles for loss in his career.

Hargrave will have to prove his talent can translate to the NFL but he has done a good job easing preliminary reservations as he had excellent showings at the Shrine game, Senior Bowl, and Combine.

Strengths

  • Great initial quickness, burst, and power. Converts his speed to power excellently.
  • Non-stop motor and motivated to get into the backfield to pursue and take down the ball carrier.
  • Embarrassed competition in the MEAC had over 70 tackles for loss and over 30 sacks in his career.
  • Excellent ability to get off blocks and maintain balance and leverage.

Weaknesses

  • Some question his ability to play against NFL level competition.
  • Needs coaching up with his technique. It wouldn't hurt for him to be more mindful and effective with his hands as well as improve and add to his pass rushing moves.
  • Overall situational awareness needs to improve if he gets caught up with linemen he loses sight of the ball.


Let's see his work: 


Per TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline, the DL coaches of the Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals collectively put South Carolina State DT Javon Hargrave through his positional drills on Pro Day. For the most part, only one or two NFL assistants will run the positional drills on Pro Day. Hargrave earned himself some extra attention, though, with the coaches of four staffs working him through his paces. Pauline noted that the workout stretched on for 45 minutes and that the 6-foot-1, 309-pounder "looked good, displaying terrific quickness, explosion and movement skills." The analyst added that Hargrave visited with the four teams in question before calling it a day

Combine Results

How He Would Fit on the Redskins

Hargrave is a terrific athlete playing defensive tackle. The advantage he has over other small school prospects is that he has all the physical tools, abilities, and determination to succeed at the next level. Hargrave will just need to take to coaching and develop his instincts, awareness, and technique. Hargrave projects well as a 4-3 DT in the NFL. I think he fits best in that type of scheme but I don't think he is limited to a 4-3. If the Redskins are interested in Hargrave he would be a DE in the Skins 3-4 scheme. His combination of speed and power would be an asset coming off the edge. It remains to be seen how Hargrave would adjust to a new scheme but Hargrave seems to have the willingness and intelligence to make an impact where ever he lands.

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