Under-the-Radar Star Identified for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings’ depth chart might be in its finest shape since the 2009 NFC Championship run.
CBS Sports found an under-the-radar star for each NFL team this week, and for the Vikings, that’s a defensive newcomer.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used free agency to put the finishing touches on his competitive rebuild this offseason, onboarding several impactful interior offensive and defensive linemen, while drafting Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson in Round 1 at the end of April.
And according to CBS Sports, veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, a free-agent newcomer, could be the Vikings’ under-the-radar star in 2025.
CBS Sports Named DT Javon Hargrave the Vikings’ Under-the-Radar Star
Garrett Podell identified one under-the-radar star for each NFC team this week, picking Hargrave for the Vikings.
He explained, “Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave was once considered one of the better players at his position in the entire NFL. He registered two Pro Bowl selections in a three-year span from 2021 to 2023, a stretch that also included reaching the Super Bowl in 2022 with the Philadelphia Eagles.”
“The San Francisco 49ers rewarded him nicely for his production in the 2023 offseason by signing him to a four-year, $84 million contract, but after he suffered a torn triceps injury that ended his 2024 season after three games, they kicked him to the curb.”
The Hargrave move arrived a few minutes after signing defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, sending fans into an excitement frenzy because the club has not prioritized the DT spot for years.
Podell added, “Minnesota signed Hargrave to a two-year, $30 million contract with $19 million fully guaranteed this offseason, and if he can bounce back to perform at his level from a couple of years ago, Hargrave could be a star once again in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme.”
Under-the-Radar Criteria
How did Podell decide on Hargrave among several other Vikings candidates?
Here’s his criteria: “NFL players who sign one-year, prove-it deals for under $10 million typically aren’t viewed as future impact players. However, inside linebacker Zack Baun went from being a former third-round pick the New Orleans Saints let walk in free agency to a 2024 first-team All-Pro, Defensive Player of the Year finalist and Super Bowl LIX champion with the Philadelphia Eagles.”
“He even joined Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks (2000) and San Francisco 49ers All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman as the only players in the 21st Century to register 150 or more tackles and six or more forced fumbles in a season, including the postseason, per CBS Sports Research.”
He’s basically hoping to identify “the next Zach Baun.”
Podell continued, “As a result, Baun signed a three-year, $51 million contract with Philadelphia that included $34 million fully guaranteed this offseason.”
“There may not be specific NFL players who will mimic Baun’s trajectory with a first-team All-Pro finish, but there certainly are unheralded players who could become impact contributors for their respective squads in the coming season. So who could be next to make a somewhat similar rise for each NFC team in 2025?”
Other under-the-radar NFC stars included Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt of the New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Nolan Smith.
Javon Hargrave Statistics
This is Hargave’s resume, according to Pro Football Focus, through nine seasons:
2024: 60.6 (limited snaps)
2023: 74.9
2022: 80.1
2021: 67.3
2020: 61.2
2019: 83.4
2018: 80.6
2017: 74.3
2016: 63.7
At the peak of his powers, Hargrave logged 11 sacks for the Eagles in 2022, a magnificent number for a defensive tackle.
DT Priority for Vikings
With Allen and Hargrave in the mix, Vikings enthusiasts aren’t used to this. The club is generally content with a Jonathan Bullard, Armon Watts, or Shamar Stephen style of defensive tackle, a tendency spanning a decade.
But 2025 is a brave new world at DT, adding two impactful interior linemen with documented track records of success.
And that’s on top of employing Harrison Phillips and Jalen Redmond.
Hargrave on Joining the Vikings
Upon signing his new contract in March, Hargrave spoke with Vikings.com about his new threads.
He said, “If you’ve got a defensive tackle who can pass rush and cause havoc, it’s a good thing for the defense. I think it really don’t matter no more if you’re smaller; they kind of look at the football player more than just looking at the size of the football player.”
“I think Flores creates a lot of 1-on-1s for the inside and the outside guys.”
Hargrave also mentioned the Vikings, as a team, which drew him to Minnesota: “You can tell they just want to win. It’s a lot of talent on offense and defense and special teams. It’s a great team, and they’ve got a reputation in the league of how they run their organization, and that was kind of a big thing for me, too. Seeing everything, seeing the reports of how good they take care of their players, I think that’s big.”
“I’m just ready to hear the SKOL Drum getting beat and hear the SKOL Chant. And I’m real excited to hear that horn being sounded before the game. I think that’s one of the hardest things I’ve seen in the NFL, especially pregame. It’s gonna be kind of dope to be on the other side of it and be able to hear it every home game.”
Hargrave missed 14 games last year in San Francisco, but his career prior to that has reflected extraordinary durability.
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