49ers news: CBS Sports loves Javon Hargrave pickup (we do too)

CBS Sports took a look at the biggest impact moves of the offseason, and the 49ers landing Javon Hargrave made the list.

The San Francisco 49ers have kept true to their philosophy of building through the trenches. And even when it seems both the offensive and defensive lines are strong enough, general manager John Lynch and Co. will go out and add another piece.

In the case of the 2023 offseason, it was arguably the biggest piece possible, former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.

Hargrave was a marquee free agent. And, despite him being 30 years old, the former South Carolina State defensive tackle has turned into a dominant interior force during his tenures with both Philly and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Even though the Niners already have the best defensive player in the NFL right now, edge Nick Bosa, Hargrave should make the reigning Defensive Player of the Year even more potent by commanding more attention on the inside.

In short, an already rich San Francisco defense, one laden with talent, only got richer by signing Hargrave.

CBS Sports highlights 49ers signing Javon Hargrave as a top offseason acquisition

The 49ers had a number of other moving pieces in NFL free agency, including a lot of significant departures like quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, safety Jimmie Ward and right tackle Mike McGlinchey.

As far as the additions, Hargrave was the marquee centerpiece addition by Lynch and Co.

In looking at the biggest impact pickups of the offseason, CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin happened to agree, listing the Niners' pickup of Hargrave as one such move and then writing:

"It's debatable whether San Francisco needed to break the bank for another defensive lineman, with Nick Bosa already headlining their front off the edge. But that doesn't mean Hargrave won't produce on their interior. He's gone from solid to disruptive in stints with the Steelers and Eagles, and now he'll play on the best defense of his career, near Bosa and in front of Fred Warner. It wouldn't be surprising in the least if he rivals, say, the Chiefs' Chris Jones as 2023's top interior terrorizer."

Read more: DeForest Buckner sees irony in Niners' contract for Javon Hargrave

Hargrave, who had a career-high 11 sacks last season, can now be unleashed alongside Bosa in what might be the NFL's toughest defensive line right now.

If that isn't impactful, it's hard to say what it.

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