The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the best nose tackles in the busines in Vita Vea, a true freak of nature, but if veteran Lavont David leaves or retires, he will be the only actual star player left in one of the NFL's worst front sevens. Vea needs help, and in Javon Hargrave, he may get that assistance.
A defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings, Hargrave has long been rumored to be a potential casualty this offseason for a rebuilding franchise with a new General Manager and the ghost of Sam Darnold haunting them.
According to a report from ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Vikings have now told Hargrave that he is going to get his walking papers this spring when the new league year opens on March 11, unless if the Vikes can somehow find a trade partner for him. Given nobody is showing any trade interest and certainly won't since they know he will be released, Hargrave is about to hit free agency and save Minnesota a little over 10 million dollars.
The Vikings will release Javon Hargrave
The Buccaneers, therefore, are free to sign Hargrave, and while they have bigger needs in the front seven for an inside linebacker, especially if David calls it quits, and edge rushing talent, another defensive tackle to help Vea out in four man fronts or even play as a 3-4 defensive end would not be forbidden.
Hargrave had just 3.5 sacks last season and is years removed from being a Pro Bowler and a 15 QB hit player who once even had more than 11 sacks in a single season, but the now 33 year old defensive tackle can be a useful player at the right price.
Imagine if Hargrave, formerly of two great teams in the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles, could be on the field with Vea at the same time in certain sets. The amount of sheer power and penetration from these two big defensive tackles would be outrageous, and any young linebackers behind them would benefit greatly.
Again, it all comes down to price and what else is out there, but if the Buccaneers want to take a flier on a proven veteran to add more mass to the defensive line and make the transition easier for the young pass rushers, Hargrave will be one of the better options on the market once he is officially released by the Vikings.