There were certainly high expectations for Vernon Hargreaves when the Buccaneers selected him in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Many analysts believed Hargreaves was the best pure cover corner in the draft. By the Buccaneers selecting him, they got a player who they believed to be the best player available, and also a player at a position of need.
Pictures from Hargreaves' photo shoot following the NFL Draft.
Throughout the spring, Hargreaves worked exclusively with the second-team defense. He remained with the twos until mid-way through training camp, when he began taking a few reps with the first-team in the slot.
As training camp came to a close, Hargreaves had graduated to getting work on the outside, too.
With three preseason games in the books, it's become clear why Hargreaves has continued to receive promotions. He recorded two interceptions in the Buccaneers' preseason victory over the Jaguars and has performed well in his other two competitions. So well, in fact, that Pro Football Focus graded Hargreaves as the best cornerback in the entire league during the preseason. PFF tweeted out the grade on Tuesday morning.
The Buccaneers will take the field for their final preseason game when they host the Redskins on Wednesday night. Whether or not Hargreaves finds himself in a starting role for the start of the regular season will be determined as the opener approaches, but it's safe to say that he'll play an important role on the Buccaneers' defense this season.
