Javon Hargrave

It often takes something special to get on the NFL radar when playing at the FCS level, and Hargrave did just that when he racked up six sacks in a victory over Bethune-Cookman in a 2014 game. "That one game changed my life - it really did," Hargrave told the Salisbury Post last offseason. "Since that game, lots of scouts have come around to watch me. That game was the spark for a lot of good things that have happened to me." He considered leaving school early for the 2015 NFL Draft, but ultimately returned to help improve his stock. Even with being the focus of every opponents' game plan, Hargrave built on his breakout junior season with 59 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks as a senior, along with 11 quarterback hits. Along with a host of awards, it earned Hargrave an invitation to the Shrine Game, where he continually stood out against FBS prospects. After not being academically eligible to play right away in 2011, he earned FCS All-Freshman honors in 2012. After battling through injuries the following season and recording 5.5 sacks, Hargrave enjoyed his breakout season in 2014, recording 55 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 16 sacks as a junior. He was named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award given to the top defensive player among FCS schools.

moves very well for a 315-pounder due to his flexible lower body to easily change directions in space and play low to the ground to get underneath blocks. he has a thick lower body with wide hips and meaty thighs, showing the ability to anchor at the point of attack and occupy multiple blockers.

WEAKNESSES

strengths

Launches himself out of his stance with terrific initial quickness to break up the rhythm of blockers. He is stout at the point of attack with strong hands to lock out and control blocks. When he wins off the snap, he's able to disrupt the pocket's rhythm.

powerful big men who can move - that's what the nfl is looking for in defensive line prospects and that's what hargrave offers. he can anchor to hold his ground vs. the run and generate an interior pass rush due to his snap anticipation and ability to convert quickness to power. his college head coach calls him a "special player" due to his ability to disrupt the rhythm of the pocket, something that will translate to the next level, ideally suited for a four-man front.

--Dane Brugler (1/21/16)

has a bad habit of stopping his feet and getting caught up in the trash. level of competition concerns, although he stood out against fbs prospects through the week at the shrine game.

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