This Vikings Defender Has Something to Prove in 2025

Dec 5, 2021; Detroit, MI, USA; A close-up view of the “O” decal on the helmet worn by Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum during pre-snap moments against the Detroit Lions. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports.

Javon Hargrave must roar back in 2025.

After falling out of ESPN’s top positional ranking system, Vikings DT Javon Hargrave enters 2025 with something to prove. He’ll also get a fresh start in the Twin Cities.

That’s the ask of ESPN, as the sports media giant detailed players who ranked in the Top 10 of their 2024 hierarchy by position but are nowhere to be found this summer.

Hargrave, among others, got the nod.

Javon Hargrave No Longer among NFL’s Best DTs

The new Viking has something to prove in 2025.

Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Javon Hargrave (79) on the field late in the fourth quarter during a Sept. 17, 2017, matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.

Javon Hargrave Falls Out of ESPN’s DT Rankings

Last year, ESPN ranked Hargrave as the league’s 10th-best defensive tackle. This go-round, he earned no such kudos.

An unattributed author at ESPN explained, “Hargrave suffered a torn triceps three games into his second season with the 49ers, undergoing surgery and not returning to the field before being released in March.”

“The two-time Pro Bowler subsequently signed a two-year, $30 million contract with Minnesota, the fourth team for the 32-year-old since he entered the league in 2016.”

And just like that, Hargrave has something to strive for with the Vikings. He went from a Top 10er to a fringe honorable mention among his peers.

ESPN described its ranking process: “A reminder of the rankings process: League executives, coaches and scouts gave us their best 10 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen.”

“More than 70 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases, all positions. Additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed helped break ties.”

A New Chapter in Minnesota

Hargrave, a two-time Pro Bowler, tore his triceps just three games into the San Francisco 49ers’ 2024 regular season. He hit the shelf, and San Francisco cut ties five months later. A salary cap casualty.

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) speaks to the media during a Super Bowl LVIII press event on Feb. 6, 2024, at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort in Nevada. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Minnesota, evidently realizing that defensive tackle could be a priority, signed Hargrave to a contract worth $30 million over the next two years. In the Twin Cities, he’ll hope to rekindle his 2023 form, when he reached the Pro Bowl with the 49ers.

The Vikings’ DT Offseason Emphasis

Minnesota actually signed two premier defensive tackles this offseason: Hargrave and Jonathan Allen from the Washington Commanders.

For years — arguably since Kevin Williams left in 2013 — various iterations of Vikings front offices and coaching staffs seemed not to care about keynote defensive tackles, always settling for solutions named Shamar Stephen, Armon Watts, and Jonathan Bullard, to name a few examples.

But this offseason, everything changed. Minnesota got with the program by signing Hargrave and Allen — on the same day.

An Already Stacked Defense Gets Better

Here’s the sweet part: Minnesota’s defense ranked second in the NFL last year without Hargrave and Allen. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has transformed his unit into a formidable unit, only trailing the Denver Broncos per defensive DVOA.

Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores on June 10, 2025, at TCO Performance Center, discussing the team’s preparations for the regular season opener against the Chicago Bears. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

Therefore, the working theory suggests that Minnesota’s defense can climb even higher this season, with Hargrave and Allen in the saddle — or, at worst, stave off regression from second-best in the sport.

Other ESPN Mentions

ESPN also named Green Bay Packers defensive tackle as a player who fell off the DT leaderboard: “The durable Clark started all 17 games for the third straight season but was unable to build on a strong statistical 2023 that saw him record a career 7.5 sacks and reach his third Pro Bowl.”

“Clark told reporters in June that he played the entire 2024 season through a foot injury sustained Week 1 in Brazil. Set to begin his 10th season with the Packers, the 29-year-old Clark seeks a healthier journey in 2025.”

And on Christian Wilkins: “Wilkins rolled snake eyes in his first year in Las Vegas, missing the final 12 games with a Jones fracture in his left foot suffered Oct. 6. It was a disappointing turn for a player who signed a four-year, $110 million deal with the Raiders in March 2024. Wilkins, 29, was sidelined during minicamp as he continues his recovery from the injury.”

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) carries the ball while defended by Washington Commanders cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) during second-half action on Sept. 11, 2022, at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports.

The publication also name-dropped running backs.

“[Travis] Etienne failed to deliver a third consecutive 1,000-yard season for the struggling Jags in 2024, rushing for 558 yards and two touchdowns on a career-low 3.7 yards per carry. How first-year coach Liam Coen integrates Etienne into the offense will be among the storylines worth watching in 2025 training camp,” ESPN opined on Jacksonville Jaguars running back Etienne. Former Vikings coach Grant Udinski is now the offensive coordinator in Jacksonville.

The Vikings’ first regular season game is 61 days away.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily … More about Dustin Baker