Vernon Hargreaves III NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Bucs Rookie

POSITIVES

A starter as a true freshman at Florida in 2013, Vernon Hargreaves has been NFL-ready for a while now. As an early entry into the NFL draft, he’s expected to be one of the first cornerbacks off the board.

With seven interceptions in the last two seasons, Hargreaves has shown his ability as a playmaker. His ball skills are excellent, and he’s constantly near the action. With a top-tier vertical jump (39"), Hargreaves is able to make up for his shorter frame and shorter arms on plays above the turf.

An instinctive, smart cornerback, Hargreaves reads routes as well as anyone in the draft. Having played man and zone coverage at Florida, he’s prepared for Sundays and can adapt to multiple schemes. Even in press schemes—despite his smaller build—Hargreaves has the quickness and technique to punch and run.

A solid three-down player, Hargreaves is a heads-up tackler with the toughness to be reliable on outside runs and screen packages. He’s quick to locate the ball and will shed stalk blocks.

NEGATIVES

Short with short arms (30 ⅝") and small hands (8 ¾"), Hargreaves is seen by some as a No. 2 cornerback and a player who will never be able to consistently shadow top wideouts.

Scouts will worry that Hargreaves can be beaten at the catch point and over the top given his poor length and height. His quickness is an asset, but his long speed can be questionable when asked to track receivers down the field. He’ll have to learn to keep his eyes out of the backfield.

If you get past the size and speed questions and just look at the film, Hargreaves is very impressive. Grading him in a bubble, he looks like a future starter.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 204 lbs.

40 Time: 4.50s

3-Cone: N/A

Short Shuttle: 3.98s

PRO COMPARISON: Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns
FINAL GRADE: 7.20/9.00 (Round 1—Top-15-Player Potential)