Vernon Hargreaves
Position: DB
College: Florida
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 199 lbs.
With the 9th pick in the draft, a realistic possibility for the Buccaneers to address their putrid defensive backfield would be Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves. The 3-year starter for the Gators is coming off a shutdown season where he limited targets to his side of the field and came up with 4 interceptions on a top 10 UF defense. Most experts have Hargreaves going anywhere from 5-15 in the draft, and with Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey likely to be the first DB selected, this could leave Tampa Bay the opportunity to land the next best thing. Hargreaves is a 2 time all-American and 3 time all SEC.
Hargreaves is a native of Tampa and attended Wharton High School before going on to play 3 years for Will Muschamp and Jim McElwain. He is a very recognizable name, especially in a town with so many UF alumni and fans. This is Gator country after all, and a Hargreaves pick at 9 would bring lots of excitement to the Bucs for many reasons.
The secondary, as it stands right now, is a huge question mark. Who will stay and who will go? Sterling Moore and Chris Conte both had their shining moments in 2015 while Jonathan Banks has overall been a let down since being drafted in 2013. The expectation for the 9th overall pick is the Bucs will go for a pass rusher or a defensive back. If they address the secondary, I feel confident in predicting it will be Hargreaves.
