Javon Hargrave sets the bar high — like, exosphere high.
Speaking with Dejan Kovacevic during Week 2 of Steelers OTAs, Hargrave discussed his mindset for the upcoming 2019 season, revealing no shortage of confidence in the process. Last season, Hargrave set career bests with 14 starts, 6.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, six tackles for a loss and 49 tackles (32 solo). So where does he go from here? What's the next step?
"Being the best. Being the best in the world," Hargrave was telling DK at the Rooney Complex following the Steelers' final OTA session of Week 2. "I think that's kind of what everybody [does] to approach this game. We work too hard to really set goals too low, so for me, it's just, I'm trying to strive to be the best."
A smaller, more explosive defensive tackle with a nose for the quarterback, Hargrave breaks from the Casey Hampton mold of Steelers past. When asked about his style and his skill set, Hargrave says it's less about him personally and more about what's needed in the game today.
"I think that's more of the NFL right now," Hargrave said. "A lot of people are just spreading the ball out, so it's not really holding two guys up, it's going to get the ball and make plays now."
The best interior lineman at "going to the ball and making plays" in the NFL today is the Rams' Aaron Donald. At 6-foot, 284 pounds, Donald is small for the position, but makes up for that with incredible leverage, speed, aggression and power. The former Pitt star is a five-time Pro Bowler, four-time first-team All-Pro player and back-to-back NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Oh, and he also led the league with 20.5 sacks last year.
So that's gotta be the guy Hargrave most looks up to, right?
Nope.
While he does admit he takes something away from every player in the league, Hargrave had a different name in mind when asked who he most compares himself to:
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