With The First Pick
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Vernon Hargreaves Getting Comfortable in Tampa Bay

By Carl Cockerham

Aug 20, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (28) and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) shake hands after a game at EverBank Field. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (28) and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) shake hands after a game at EverBank Field. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vernon Hargreaves looks like the truth!

He and Jalen Ramsey were rivals for the best cover corner in the 2016 NFL Draft going in. Ramsey came off the board first at No. 5 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. And Hargreaves ended up getting picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 11 overall.

Jaguars head coach likes tall, long corners so you can understand Ramsey was his pick. And while Bradley is very happy with his first-round pick so far, the Buccaneers are happy with theirs. Hargreaves has had a great training camp and it has leaked into the preseason.

In last Saturday’s preseason game against Ramsey’s Jaguars, made two interceptions. And since then, he has intercepted two passes from Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III in joint practices. He is thoroughly impressing his new coaching staff and teammates.

Hargreaves began the season behind veterans Brent Grimes and Alterraun Verner on the depth chart. But he is now pushing for more playing time and working with the first-team defense. He’s playing both outside corner and inside in nickel situations.

One thing linebacker Lavonte David notices is his growing confidence, telling the Tampa Bay Times, “His confidence skyrocketed since Day 1 skyrocketed. All you need, for a rookie, all you need to do is just make some plays, make plays here and there, and your confidence boosts and your game takes over.

“That’s what’s been going on. You can tell he’s carrying himself different now, has a little swagger to him. He’s making plays and that’s the reason we got him. He’s doing what he’s supposed to do.”

So we can expect Hargreaves to have a big rookie year, right?

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