Bucs CB Hargreaves admits to struggles and vows to be better

When the Buccaneers drafted Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III with the 11th overall pick of the 2016 draft, many were hopeful that the Tampa native would become the team’s cornerback of the future. So far, it seems as though that may not be the case.

Since entering the league, Hargreaves has been unable to adjust to NFL talent. He’s been beat often and has misjudged many passes. But the soon-to-be 23-year-old has acknowledged his poor play and is working on getting better.

“Well, the first two years I’ve had, they’ve been down years,” Hargreaves told the Tampa Bay Times. “They’ve been average. You know, as a first-rounder, obviously, they’re expecting production. It’s plain and simple. It’s not that complicated. I haven’t been producing.

”But they believe in me. They know what I can do. They’re moving me inside and outside. That just shows the amount of faith they have in me and I’m grateful. And they know what I can do. They’re just telling me to get it going. I’ve got to make some plays and find a way to be productive.”

Moving Hargreaves to the inside may be just what he needs. As you can see in the below graphic, he gave up a lower completion percentage — albeit a small sample size.\

Pro Football Focus

We’ll see how much better Hargreaves’ 2018 campaign will be. Entering his third season and with the backing of his coaches and teammates, it seems as though the arrow is still pointing up for the former Gator.

But it starts with his commitment both on and off the field.