Top 5 2023 free agents Seahawks should sign for future success

Number 2: Seahawks can use defensive tackle Javon Hargrave

The Eagles are so far the best team in the NFL in 2022. They are built from the inside out meaning both offensive and defensive lines are dominant. Hargrave is a key part of the defensive line. But the Eagles have a question to ask themselves. Do they want to try to sign Hargrave to a multi-year deal or let him walk?

The issue is that in 2024, Philadelphia will need to sign quarterback Jalen Hurts and Hurts’ contract is going to balloon massively then. Signing Hargrave to a one-year deal would be great for Philadelphia, but Hargrave will be 30 years old when the 2023 season begins and will probably want a new deal that pays him for a few seasons. Philadelphia likely won’t be able to afford that.

But Hargrave is worth paying a lot of money. He stays healthy and highly productive. In his seven-year career, Hargrave has missed just three games. But the interior player has had at least 4 sacks each season in his last five. In 2021, Hargrave had 7.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hits. Per PFF, Hargrave has graded much higher the last few years in pass rush, but like Payne from earlier this list, earlier in his career Hargrave was excellent against the run so he is capable of being so.

Adding Hargrave to the Seahawks interior defensive line is only going to make the young cornerbacks’ jobs easier and help out the young edge rushers like Boye Mafe. Hargrave will supply needed interior pass rush and be able to rotate out with players like Poona Ford (hopefully!) and Quinton Jefferson. Hargrave might be slightly less expensive than Payne but no matter what he is paid, he will be worth it.