The 49ers on Monday prioritized the interior of their defensive line to start the NFL’s legal negotiating window. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported Eagles defensive lineman Javon Hargrave agreed to a four-year deal worth $80 million total and $40 million guaranteed.
Hargrave was perhaps the best available defensive tackle on the market, and he plugs the weakest link on the 49ers’ defensive front. They struggled to stay healthy on the interior last season and the production they did get from that spot wasn’t great.
Instead of trying to plug-and-play lower-tier free agents and draft picks, San Francisco took a massive swing to add Hargrave. He posted a whopping 11.0 sacks last season after putting up 7.5 the year before that. Plugging him into the middle of their defensive line alongside Arik Armstead could quickly make San Francisco’s front the most formidable in the NFL.
