Denver Broncos free agency: Underrated defensive line options

Javon Hargrave, Pittsburgh Steelers

If you want a free agent defensive lineman who is flying under the national radar at the moment who is a household name among NFL players, it’s Javon Hargrave.

Hargrave plays all over the defensive line for the Steelers, and rushes the passer at a high rate. He can also defend the run exceptionally well.

His combination of strength, leverage, and playmaking ability make Hargrave one of the most fascinating prospective free agent fits for the Broncos, a player who is just as effective lining up at the nose tackle position as he is at the 3T or even further out.

Hargrave is probably going to get the biggest contract of anyone on this list, but watching him play over the last four years (in which he only missed one game), he is undoubtedly worth it.

Imagining Hargrave and another player like DJ Reader (maybe wishful thinking) joining the Broncos’ defensive front with Bradley Chubb and Von Miller off the edge?

Yikes.

This guy should be at or near the top of the Broncos’ free agent wish list, and they are fortunate the Steelers don’t have the cap space to tag both he and Bud Dupree.

He has 10.5 sacks over the last two years and he does an incredible job of making tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. He racked up 109 total tackles over the last two seasons with Pittsburgh.

Perhaps Mike Munchak, though he was indirectly involved with Hargrave in Pittsburgh, could be a key recruiting piece getting this stud to the Mile High City.

Hargrave plays a ton of snaps for an interior lineman and is one of the most underrated prizes of the 2020 free agent crop.