The Green Bay Packers made a big move for their defensive line on Wednesday by signing veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.

Hargrave, 33, was released by the Minnesota Vikings and the Packers quickly swooped him up as a free agent. 

Hargrave was given a two-year, $23 million deal and the Packers undoubtedly believe he can be a big-time, veteran disruptor on their defensive line next to a healthy Devonte Wyatt.

Yes, Hargrave is old for a a free agent, but he's coming off a season that saw him notch 52 tackles (18 solo), 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble, which is not half bad for a 6-foot-2, 305 pound big man. 

Hargrave can flat get after the quarterback for a big man. Notably, he has the second-highest quick pressure rate amongst defensive tackles since the start of the 2023 season. He also thrived under new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon when both were with the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2021, he notched 63 tackles and 7.5 sacks. In 2022, he put up a career high 11 sacks and notched 60 tackles.

Hargrave and Gannon are now reunited in Green Bay.

This seems like a great move for the Packers, but it is a short-term move. If the Packers can get two great seasons out of Hargrave during this Super Bowl window, they'll consider it a win.

Ultimately, though, the Packers still have a need at defensive tackle, and that's a need they need to address in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Hargrave wasn't the only move the Packers made on the defensive line on Wednesday. They also brought back defensive tackle Jonathan Ford on a one year deal. Ford checks in at 6-foot-5, 346 pounds, but he's a big depth player at best. The same can be said for Nazir Stackhouse, who is a gap-plugger at 6-foot-4, 327 pounds.

 The truth of the matter is that Wyatt is really the only sure bet for the Packers at defensive tackle, and even he comes with concerns due to the fact that he's coming off a season-ending ankle/fibula injury.

The Packers need a young up-and-comer who they can slate in next to Wyatt for the next handful of seasons (assuming Wyatt gets extended) and who can not just be the beneficiary of playing next to the former first round pick (not to mention Micah Parson), but but bring some juice to the table himself.

Wyatt is a big-guy himself at 6-foot-3, 304 pounds but he's become a borderline star in this league because he's a great athlete for his size. He can get after the quarterback just as much as he can get after the run. Getting him a long-term running mate in the interior defensive line is crucial in order to maximize on his abilities, though.

Hargrave is a nice stop gap for 2026 and hopefully 2027 as well, but banking on a veteran to reach down into the tank and pull out two more great seasons is not a great strategy.

Using pick No. 52 or No. 84 on a three-down defensive lineman would be a great strategy, though, and the Packers will have some options in that regard. Iowa State's Domonique Orange or Texas Tech's Lee Hunter are two names that immediately come to mind. 

Of course, the Packers have other draft needs. Cornerback and offensive line are both must-fills in this draft.

A big-time defensive lineman prospect could really go a long ways in making this defense a Super Bowl-caliber unit, though, so general manager Brian Gutekunst must absolutely give it some thought in those first 100 picks.

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