Vernon Hargreaves III could be godsend for Saints secondary

With the 2016 NFL Draft inching closer every day, we’re continuing to focus on the top available college prospects. Vernon Hargreaves III is widely-seen as one of the top talents at defensive back, and may be available when the New Orleans Saints make their first selection. Should they bring him to the Crescent City?

The latest Florida Gator to enter the draft has been a dynamo in the SEC, nabbing an average of three interceptions and nine pass deflections across his three-year career.

Vernon Hargreaves III has even intercepted the likes of Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly, coming within yards of a coveted return-touchdown. With the draft approaching, the New Orleans Saints need all they can get

Measurables:
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 204 pounds
Arm length: 30 5/8 inches
Hands: 8 ¾ inches

Scouting Combine Results:
40-yard dash: 4.50 seconds
Bench press (225 LBS): 15 reps
Vertical: 39 inches (Top performer)
Broad jump: 130 inches (Top performer)
20-yard shuttle: 3.98 seconds

Analysis:
Vernon Hargreaves does not have the elite frame that NFL teams look for at cornerback. He is not a lanky corner like Richard Sherman (6-foot-3, 195 pounds, 32-inch arms) who can drape over opposing receivers. Instead, Hargreaves is built in the mold of fellow Florida alum Joe Haden (5-foot-11, 193 pounds, 32 ¾-inch arms). Both Hargreaves and Haden excel at mirroring opponents in man-to-man and zone-coverages.

Hargreaves brings some terrific explosive ability as seen by his NFL Scouting Combine-best 39-inch vertical jump and 130-inch broad leap. No other cornerback had better numbers than those in front of the NFL’s decision-makers in Indianapolis, and that athleticism absolutely translates to Hargreaves’ game. Despite his lack of height, Hargreaves doesn’t struggle to hold his own against receivers of all body types.

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How he fits the New Orleans Saints:
Vernon Hargreaves is a natural playmaker who understands how to track the arc of the ball in the air and contest almost any catch. Some have compared his penchant for pulling down interceptions to the New York Giants’ new highly-paid cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who is known for gambling on those 50/50 balls; it seems like he comes down with a turnover half the time, or cedes a long scoring play the other half. Hargreaves is certainly aggressive, but he’s got plenty of situational awareness and football IQ to avoid those embarrassing breakdowns in coverage.

Vernon Hargreaves would be a godsend for a Saints defensive backfield in need of stability. Nobody knows when New Orleans native Keenan Lewis will be healthy enough to return to regular appearances, and second-year draft picks Damian Swann (concussion) and P.J. Williams (hamstring) are also coming off of injuries. Even after Delvin Breaux’s timely appearance as a top-five cornerback in the NFL and the re-signing of solid nickel corner Kyle Wilson, there’s a visible need at corner in 2016 and beyond. If available at their pick, Hargreaves could very likely be the answer the Saints are looking for.

Hargreaves would be expected to start from day one opposite from Breaux and kick inside to cover the slot whenever Lewis is healthy enough to see the field. He brings quality cover ability, legitimate ball skills, and a boisterous personality to a position group where the Saints are still needy. Given the investments the team made at corner last spring (Breaux, Swann, Williams, and Wilson are all second-year additions) it’s hard to see the Saints spending their top pick on another corner, but if Vernon Hargreaves is there, he should be the best player available. The Saints have gone 7-9 in three of the last four years; they need all the talent they can get, regardless of position.

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New Orleans Saints 2016 NFL Draft Profile: Vernon Hargreaves III

By John Sigler | Apr 18, 2016