Javon Hargrave's first season with the San Francisco 49ers could be labeled a disappointment. The defensive tackle was the team's prized free agent signing last offseason. He was coming off an impressive 11-sack 2022 campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles, and the 49ers hoped the signing would bolster the interior of their defensive front.
While Hargrave still racked up seven sacks last season, he wasn't the interior force fans expected after signing a massive four-year, $84 million deal.
Hargrave and his veteran teammates are on a break until they report for training camp on July 23. The defensive lineman is working hard to ensure he is ready to hit the ground running and improve upon last season's performance.
Exos Sports shared a video of Hargrave working out during his time off (h/t Niners Wire). The post reads, "Javon Hargrave pulling 532 lbs on the trap bar deadlift with 0.91 second velocity."
Click the photo below to watch the video.
The 49ers defensive line underwent a makeover this offseason. The player who lined up next to Hargrave last season, Arik Armstead, is now with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Also gone are defensive ends Chase Young and Clelin Ferrell, replaced by Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos. San Francisco traded for defensive tackle Maliek Collins, who is expected to replace Armstead.
When asked to assess his performance during the 2023 season, Hargrave stated, "It was pretty good. I wish we could have won the thing, but it was pretty good. I was with a lot of good dudes. And they just brought me in and I just really feel like I just want to build on it this year and just be better as a whole this year."
Regarding the areas he hopes to improve this offseason, Hargrave said, "I think it's just overall. I feel like I could have won a lot more in the pass rush stuff, and just be better in the run game stuff, and just being in way better shape than I was last year."
Hargrave's Pro Football Focus run-defense grade of 51.4 was a marginal improvement over his 2022 mark of 49.0, but it still indicates room for growth. His 74.9 overall grade was his second-highest over the past four seasons, falling short of the 80.1 mark earned in his final season with the Eagles.
