Let’s start with this — by definition, a surprise trade candidate is unlikely. If it was likely, it wouldn’t be a surprise.
So chances are when the Eagles head to Detroit to start their 2022 season against the Lions not only will Javon Hargrave be on the roster, he likely will be starting.
Each year, however, there is one player that is either cut or traded seemingly out of nowhere. This year many think that player could be Isaac Seumalo — although if everyone thinks he is a potential surprise trade candidate, it isn’t really a surprise.
A true surprise would be Hargrave, although when you dig deeper, he actually checks off some pretty obvious boxes when it comes to the Eagles moving on from a player.
Here is why Hargrave could potentially be moved before the start of the season:
1. Eagles didn’t extended Hargrave this offseason: Hargrave is entering the final year of the three-year deal he signed prior to the 2020 season. Hargrave not getting a new deal this offseason is very surprising. On the surface he would seem like an obvious candidate to be restructured. He plays a position the Eagles value (defensive line), he is coming off of a mostly strong season, he has one year left on his deal, he has a big base salary and he isn’t that old (29). Instead, the Eagles restructured deals of older players to open up space. Considering how the Eagles usually conduct business, Hargrave not getting a new contract this offseason is definitely noteworthy.
2. A trade open up $12.75 million in cap space: The Eagles don’t have much cap flexibility left, but because they didn’t restructure Hargrave’s deal, the one big chip they have left to make a move would almost have to involve Hargrave in some way. Hargrave has a base salary of $12.75 million for 2022, which is more than the Eagles have in cap space (around $9 million) right now. Although the odds are unlikely, it is worth pointing out that Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates would cost pretty much exactly what Hargrave makes. Even if it is isn’t Bates, however, Hargrave is a great trade piece to offer another team if the Eagles are looking to acquire a big-time talent, because he is both a good player and has a big base salary. The Eagles could re-negotiate Hargrave’s deal to open up space, but if they haven’t done it yet, chances are if they need his salary cap space to make a big move they would likely just trade him.
3. He was signed when the Eagles player a 4-3: Hargrave has experience in a 3-4, the alignment the Eagles are expected to play as their base this season. So he should be able to adjust pretty easily. Still, the Eagles signed Hargrave when they were playing a base 4-3 defense, and Hargrave is somewhat undersized for a 3-4 defensive linemen. The defensive tackles the Eagles have added this offseason — Jordan Davis, Noah Ellis, Renell Wren — are all considerably bigger than Hargrave. Milton Williams is the only defensive tackle on the roster right now that weighs less than Hargrave, but he is taller and longer than Hargrave is. It is fair to wonder if Hargrave really fits what defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon wants from his defensive tackles, especially when you consider how much he struggled against the run last season.
Again, chances are Hargrave will be back. The Eagles value depth along the defensive line and won’t just be giving away Hargrave.
If you are looking for a shocking name to end up being traded prior to Week 1, however, Hargrave has to be at the top of the list.