Javon Hargrave Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

49ers agree to monster contract with prized free-agent DT

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/14/23

The No. 1 defense in the NFL just got even better.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers agreed to terms with free-agent defensive tackle Javon Hargrave on a four-year, $84 million contract that includes $40 million guaranteed.

A huge get for the #49ers in every sense of the word. Fills their biggest need in bolstering their D-line. This is their big bite of the free agency apple for this year. https://t.co/Jq0M1upHzk
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) March 13, 2023

Hargrave had a breakout season in 2020, totaling 60 tackles, 11 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 66 QB pressures and 48 QB hurries. The 30-year-old defensive tackle ranks third in the NFL over the last two seasons with a pass rush win rate of 18.8%.

With 2020 first-round pick Javon Kinlaw struggling to stay healthy (he’s missed 24 games over the last two seasons with varying injuries), Hargrave bolsters arguably San Francisco’s biggest area of need and takes the pressure off Kinlaw to rush back next season.

The 49ers got little production from the DT position in 2022 as Hassan Ridgeway, Kevin Givens, Akeem Spence and T.Y. McGill combined for just 66 tackles, three sacks and 12 tackles for loss. All four are unrestricted free agents and likely won’t be brought back in 2023.

Hargrave has recorded four or more sacks in five straight seasons, and he’s generated 35 of more pressures in four straight years.

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