Bold Predictions: Hargrave and Jackson Will Both Have Over 5.5 Sacks in 2020
After recording 43 sacks as a team in 2019, the Eagles defense has made enough improvements this off-season which should help increase that number.
As most Philly fans know…it all starts with the D-Line!
The Birds were able to add some reinforcements to their defensive line after signing DT Javon Hargrave from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hargrave hails from a unit that accounted for a whopping total of 54 sacks on the season (Most in the NFL).
Bold Predictions: Hargrave & Jackson Will Both Have Over 5.5 Sacks in 2020
Coming in at 6’5, 305 lbs, Hargrave is a nightmare for opposing offensive lineman around the league. Over the last two seasons, Hargrave has combined for 10.5 sacks, with 14.5 overall during his first four years as a pro.
Need to put pressure on the QB? “The Gravedigger” has you covered.
Hargrave ranks behind All-Pro defensive lineman JJ Watt, and Chris Jones with a 14.2% pass pressure percentage per game. Besides his incredible ability to create pressure, Hargrave also plugs up the middle well and is a stand-out run defender who has racked up 22 total tackles for loss.
The signing of Hargrave should help elevate the play of the entire defensive line.
The Eagles are expecting Malik Jackson to step back into his role after being placed on Injured Reserve ensuing the season opener. Much like Hargrave, Jackson was a premier signing during the 2019 offseason. In eight total seasons, Jackson established himself as one of the better DT’s in the game, as he has recorded 32.5 sacks in his career.
A possible switch to defensive end might be in Jackson’s future due to the amount of depth at the DT position.
NBC Philadelphia spectates this might just be the case. Although Jackson was banged up back in 2019, he has such a natural ability to get after the QB in any instance. Prior to the injury, Jackson had a career-high 8.0 sacks as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017.
It seems as though Jackson’s skillsets will be tested on the edge in the Eagles defensive scheme.
“His 32 ½ sacks during the six-year period from 2013 through 2018 are only 1 ½ fewer than Graham had during the same span as a full-time defensive end and more than any other Eagle has since”
These two DTs should see a substantial amount of playing time next to Fletcher Cox.
The pair have a coveted history of bringing the heat, so their style of play will easily complement Cox. Having pass rushers of Hargrave and Jackson’s caliber will open up tons of opportunity for the man in the middle. Cox will be looking to “rebound” from his 3.5 sack season a year ago. Although Cox might not have the greatest sack statistics, his presence is always felt as ProFootballFoucs rated him the second-best interior defensive lineman last year.
We haven’t even mentioned other players on the D-Line such as Derek Barnett and Brandon Graham. These two will greatly benefit from the interior pass rush and be able to capitalize when they are pressuring opponents off the edge.
The defensive line definitely takes the cake for being the deepest position on Philly’s roster.
45 plus sacks might not be out of the question for this unit in 2020…
Featured Image: Michael Perez/AP Photo & Matt Sunday/DKPS
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Categorized:Eagles