Jets were just handed a golden opportunity to complete their DL makeover

The New York Jets kicked off their offseason in a major way last week, trading Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat in a sizable defensive line shakeup.

The move reunited Johnson with Robert Saleh in Tennessee and gave the Jets a young, powerful interior presence to anchor the middle of their defense. Sweat now slots into a rebuilt front alongside Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs, giving the Jets a much more stout interior foundation than it had a season ago.

Still, the Jets’ work up front may not be finished, especially with the team expected to lean more heavily into a 3–4 defensive look this year. That is where a golden opportunity could enter the picture.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that the Minnesota Vikings are expected to release standout defensive tackle Javon Hargrave if they cannot find a trade partner. The Jets could have a chance to complete their defensive line makeover with the exact type of interior pass rusher they are still missing.

Javon Hargrave could be the missing piece to the Jets' defense

The Jets should feel pretty good about where their defensive line stands as a run-stopping unit. Sweat is already one of the best young run stuffers in the league, and should be able to anchor the middle of the team's defensive line on early downs.

Phillips thrived in his one-tech role last season, and Briggs proved to be a major steal after arriving from Cleveland, holding his own against the run while offering more pass-rush juice than expected. Still, as solid as that group is, it remains somewhat limited.

Briggs exceeded expectations as a pass rusher, but he is not the type of interior defender who consistently wins one-on-one matchups on passing downs. That is the missing piece in the middle of this defense, and it is exactly where Hargrave would fit.

The two-time Pro Bowler broke out as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles' vaunted defensive front in 2021 and proceeded to rack up 25.5 sacks over three years between 2021 and 2023.

A triceps injury derailed his 2024 season, but he returned in 2025 on a new two-year, $30 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings and appeared in 16 games, finishing with 3.5 sacks and 31 pressures. Still, his 70.0 Pro Football Focus pass-rush grade suggests he was more effective as a pass-rusher than the box score stats would indicate.

At 32 years old, Hargrave's days as one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL may be behind him, but he proved last season that he still has plenty left in the tank. He fits exactly the archetype of player the Jets should be looking for to complete their new-look defensive line.

The Jets also have a sense of familiarity to lean on, as Hargrave spent a few years working under new Jets defensive line coach Karl Dunbar in Pittsburgh. That connection could help convince Hargrave to sign with a rebuilding team like the Jets.

The Jets could explore sending a Day 3 pick swap to Minnesota in exchange for Hargrave, but at this stage, it appears more likely the former Eagles defensive tackle is simply released.

The Jets should already feel encouraged by the progress they’ve made up front, but Javon Hargrave could be the finishing touch to their offseason defensive line makeover, especially if he comes at an affordable price.