Countdown to Camp: Javon Hargrave

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) on July 13, 2017

Countdown to Camp is a series aimed at preparing fans for the Pittsburgh Steelers upcoming training camp by focusing on players who were on the 2016 roster. Each profile will include basic statistics and a hand selected highlight from last year.

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Javon Hargrave	79
Position	Defensive Lineman
Date of birth	February 7, 1993 (age 24)
Place of birth	Salisbury, North Carolina
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	305 lb (138 kg)
High school	Spencer (NC) North Rowan
College	South Carolina State
NFL Draft	2016 / Round 3 / Pick 89
Career	Pittsburgh Steelers (2016-present)

The Steelers did something they’ve rarely done in franchise history during the 2016 season when they moved three rookies to starting positions – Javon Hargrave was one of those players.

Hargrave, the 89th overall pick in the NFL draft that year, was ranked as the 11th best defensive tackle coming out of college by NFLDraftScout.com and was expected to be a great addition to any team that drafted him. With the Steelers, Hargrave didn’t disappoint.

Hargrave got his first pro career start in the Steelers’ opening game against the Washinton Redskins and throughout the season improved his stock by recording 27 tackles and 2.0 sacks. Hargrave gave the Steelers an improved defensive interior, especially with veteran Cameron Heyward out of the lineup due to injury.

On November 20, Hargrave scooped up a loose ball linebacker Ryan Shazier stripped from Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown and carried it into the end zone for his first career NFL touchdown.

Although Hargrave missed a game in December due to a concussion, he showed up big in the AFC Championship game, recording eight tackles and a take-down sack on Tom Brady. It was the perfect way to cap off his rookie campaign.

Hargrave suffered a minor shoulder injury during OTAs but is expected to push, once again, for a starting position as an interior defensive lineman and give the Steelers the run-stopping promainence they desire in 2017. Hargrave’s motor and athleticism should give the Steelers defense extra teeth in containing opposing quarterbacks as well and camp will be the place where he sets the tone.