5 players not named Jimmy Garoppolo the Raiders should sign in Free Agency

3. The Las Vegas Raiders should sign DL Javon Hargrave in free agency

Last season, the Las Vegas Raiders registered 27 sacks, the third-lowest figure in the league, and Maxx Crosby accounted for 12.5 of them. Simply, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s unit couldn’t get after the quarterback nor successfully apply pressure up front.

Looking back, Graham didn’t have enough players to install his system in 2022. Chandler Jones disappeared at times and Divine Deablo wasn’t much of a factor either, appearing in just eight games due to a foreman injury that ended his sophomore campaign prematurely. The interior defensive line also failed to make a push. Bilal Nichols and Andrew Billings saw significant playing time only because the Raiders didn’t have anyone else.

If the Raiders want to spare no expenses and bolster their defensive front, they should then make a run for defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, who played a key role on the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense last season.

Hargrave started his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016 and signed a three-year contract worth $39 million with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. The former South Carolina State Bulldog is coming off a career year and can play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.

His flexibility to execute regardless of the scheme, along with his pass-rush skill, will make him a hot commodity in free agency. The Las Vegas brass might need to pay Hargrave an annual salary of $20 million to land him but signing him would ensure other clubs won’t be able to double or triple-team Crosby.