Steelers rookie Hargrave drawing comparisons to Aaron Donald

When a particular Steelers rookie participates in one-on-one pass rush drills, the names of other NFL interior defensive linemen come to mind: Aaron Donald and Geno Atkins.

"I was actually big fans of them coming out," Steelers rookie Javon Hargrave said Monday. "Especially Aaron Donald."


The third-round draft pick out of FCS program South Carolina State has been the most impressive rookie throughout the first 10 days of training camp. Hargrave stands at 6-1 and 302 pounds; Donald in comparison is 6-1 and 285 pounds. Hargrave presents a similar skill set to the Rams star defensive tackle, who once won the Bronko Nagurski award at Pitt as the nation's top defensive player...........

Read more @ http://www.timesonline.com/sports/st...form=hootsuite

I think Hargrave will end up being the best player from this steeler draft class

still my favorite pick but wow, ill believe it when i see it.

Those are pretty big shoes to fill. If he's 3/4 the player Donald is, that would be ridiculously good.

Wow, jumping the gun awfully hard there. I'd be absolutely ecstatic if thay happened, but I'm not holding my breath lol

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Let's hope he is because I don't expect much improvement from McCullers

https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zwa...__Final_.0.gif

The DL is the part of this team I am most excited to watch this season. This is going to be fun for those of us that love defense.

It's good to have a sack, but was #66 doing?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Steeldude

It's good to have a sack, but was #66 doing?

---

Getting abused. Nice move by the youngster!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Steeldude

It's good to have a sack, but was #66 doing?

---

Hargrave beat him with great use of his hands at the snap. That's what quick interior linemen can do if they learn to use their hands. He looked like a 5-year pro on that play.

He's already better than Cam Thomas. Ergo, the defense is now better.

At a minimum, Hargrave can at least spell Heyward and Tuitt (who played 88% and 78% of the snaps), which will keep both of those DEs fresh for the entire season.

That is the minimum. I honestly expect a whole lot more. So excited.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by teegre

He's already better than Cam Thomas. Ergo, the defense is now better.

At a minimum, Hargrave can at least spell Heyward and Tuitt (who played 88% and 78% of the snaps), which will keep both of those DEs fresh for the entire season.

That is the minimum. I honestly expect a whole lot more. So excited.

---

I like what I've seen from the new members of the DL. Hargrave is going to be a player.

I think Cam Thomas is addition by subtraction. He had a role to provide versatility in that he could play DT or DE, but he didn't play well at either position. There are now some players that can also be moved around within the system, but show much more explosion and penetration. They now have a group that gives a good mix of power and explosiveness to put into the rotation.

I like where this group is going from a talent and age perspective. By next year, I believe this will be a big strength of this team as the young guys come into their own to join Heyward and Tuitt on what will be one of the best DL's in the game.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pczach

I like what I've seen from the new members of the DL. Hargrave is going to be a player.

I think Cam Thomas is addition by subtraction. He had a role to provide versatility in that he could play DT or DE, but he didn't play well at either position. There are now some players that can also be moved around within the system, but show much more explosion and penetration. They now have a group that gives a good mix of power and explosiveness to put into the rotation.

I like where this group is going from a talent and age perspective. By next year, I believe this will be a big strength of this team as the young guys come into their own to join Heyward and Tuitt on what will be one of the best DL's in the game.

---

When Tuitt was drafted, I stated that as he improves, so will the defense (from poor to very good).

I I will now say that as Hargrave improves, so will the defense (from very good to great).

Great work by this young man!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Steeldude

It's good to have a sack, but was #66 doing?

---

losing the hand fight battle handily

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Steeldude

It's good to have a sack, but was #66 doing?

---

He was doing the Jonathan Scott/Traffic cone move

Probably the best player from the Steelers draft

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by st33lersguy

Probably the best player from the Steelers draft

---

Sean Davis has been impressive also.