Why Vernon Hargreaves (CB) might be the best player in the Draft

[PurpleCity5]

I'll admit, Vernon Hargreaves III is my favorite player in this draft. I love the guy's game and potential as the next great shutdown CB. Here's why I believe he should be a Raven. 

 

I think he has all the skill sets to be an elite CB in this league and along with Jimmy would create one of the best CB tandems in the league. 

 

Credit to SaturdayDownSouth and Murf Baldwin for some of the Gifs and Breakdowns. If you want more of an overview on Hargreaves, you can see it here: http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/florida-football/vernon-hargreaves-most-polished-corner-sec/

 

Murf Baldwin has a tremendous breakdown of Hargreaves elite coverage ability, I highly recommend you check out the article. 

 

He's my overview of him overall. 

 

• Tremendous Recovery: If he get's beat on a play, he won't let up, he'll stick on the WR and won't allow them to get away easily. He just does a great job of recovering. 

 

• Size doesn't matter: He may be 5'11, but I don't see size as a legit concern, he plays more physical than that and bigger as well. Below is a GIF of Hargreaves going up against WR Blake Bone who is 6'5. He's able to elevate high enough to swat the pass away even though Bone has a good six inches on him. Still, Hargreaves shows ability to break on the ball and disrupt the back-shoulder fade. There's more demonstrations out there of Hargreaves being able to not only handle big receivers but bring a physical element to his game. 

 

 

• High pointing: Hagreaves high-points the ball better than any CB I've seen in recent memory. His ability to just knock the pass away and track the ball is nearly unparalleled. No other CB does it better than Hargreaves. 

1. In this play, Hargreaves is able to track the football, bat the pass down, all while having the 6'5 Blake Bone draped on him. He is still able to make the play with ease.
2. His timing is also another positive, one that you want in a CB. He times plays perfectly and limits his mistakes as much as possible.
3. Also positions himself very well on the play allowing him to make the play on the ball. 

Deep Coverage: Hargreaves is not shabby in deep coverage at all. He's able to stick with CB, position himself to get in front, and while he doesn't get the INT, he almost always prevents the big play. He always sticks with the receiver

 

 

 

 

As said before, timing is a very important aspect that goes into preventing the big plays, but Hargreaves high pointing is truly some thing to marvel about, he climbs the ladder just as great as any CB in the nation and doesn't let a WR height gain any advantage.  He doesn't cheat any plays or rushes himself, he stays patient, waits for the ball to arrive, squares up, and simply bats down the pass. 

 

Impeccable technique: Vernon Hargreaves is the most polished prospect in the draft and one of the most polished prospect to enter the draft in recent memory. He lines up in a perfect base stance, has fluid hips, amazing footwork, and great vision. 

 

In Baldwin's great analysis of Hargreaves, he points out why the prospect is similar to another great CB, Darrelle Revis. With technique and anticipation, Hargreaves is able to compensate for his lack of height similarly to Revis. 

 

Hargreaves has an excellent base, opens his hips, displays fluid footwork and quickness in this Gif. Hargreaves mirrors the Receiver and anticipates the route. Look at the footwork, notice how he doesn't stop, he's always moving. He has an excellent plant, and great transition which allows him to break on the ball. 

 

 

 

"Here’s a classic example of Revis’ ability to control receivers purely on technique. Employing a press-man technique against a receiver running a curl route, he displayed a strong base at the line of scrimmage by having the perfect width in his stance." --Murf Baldwin 

 

While Revis himself like Hargreaves is 5'11 and a good 198ILBs, that doesn't stop him from being able to cover bigger receivers, with his smooth transition and technique. Revis is able to use his transition to be able to stick on the receiver, and with his great high-pointing, is able to break up the pass.

 

 

 

Playmaking: "In his first two seasons combined, Hargreaves chalked up 24 pass break-ups and six interceptions." While Hargreaves doesn't have the Richard Sherman like numbers, he hasn't been tested much by opposing QBs, and when he gets those picks, he's able to make plays with them as shown below by the video clips. Check em' out if you want to. 

 

In this gif, Hargreaves is in Man-Coverage, he keeps up with the QB, and sees and under-thrown ball and breaks on it and returns it all the way to Ole' mis 10 yard line. 

 

 

 

[Cillmatic]

But, will it blend?

[PurpleCity5]

But, will it blend?

Yes, yes it will 

[Clmraven]

I like hargreaves alot, I think if we end up picking around 5 he should be our guy. Bosa and tunsil are bound to be gone by then.

[PurpleCity5]

I like hargreaves alot, I think if we end up picking around 5 he should be our guy. Bosa and tunsil are bound to be gone by then.

I think Bosa has a shot to be there at 5, Tunsil I expect to be gone by then. I think he goes into the top 3. 

[Cillmatic]

Honestly, Ramsey might be a better CB than him. Ramsey gets off blocks like no other and he sticks to his man.

Edited November 28, 2015 by Cillmatic

[GrimCoconut]

Tunsil, Bosa, then Hargreaves. That's my order of top 3 players in this draft, with Hargreaves as my best overall prospect but he's at a position that's typically not taken high.

[Clmraven]

Tunsil, Bosa, then Hargreaves. That's my order of top 3 players in this draft, with Hargreaves as my best overall prospect but he's at a position that's typically not taken high.

I agree completely. Hargreaves is definitely my favorite of the 3, Tunsil and Bosa both seem like very logical picks but part of me kind of hopes they get taken before us because just once I'd like the "flashy" pick.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

I agree completely. Hargreaves is definitely my favorite of the 3, Tunsil and Bosa both seem like very logical picks but part of me kind of hopes they get taken before us because just once I'd like the "flashy" pick.

I think Bosa would be pretty flashy...

[PurpleCity5]

I agree completely. Hargreaves is definitely my favorite of the 3, Tunsil and Bosa both seem like very logical picks but part of me kind of hopes they get taken before us because just once I'd like the "flashy" pick.

Not ganna lie, I really want Hargreaves to fall to us, Im not rooting for Tunsil to be taken early but, I mean how can you pass on him if hes there?

[PurpleCity5]

Tunsil, Bosa, then Hargreaves. That's my order of top 3 players in this draft, with Hargreaves as my best overall prospect but he's at a position that's typically not taken high.

I have the same exact top 3. I think we should trade back for Hargreaves but Im worried some teams might trade up with him, exp: Oakland. Id consider the 1st a slam dunk A if we get one of those 3 guys.

[JoeyFlex5]

I agree completely. Hargreaves is definitely my favorite of the 3, Tunsil and Bosa both seem like very logical picks but part of me kind of hopes they get taken before us because just once I'd like the "flashy" pick.

bosa is alot flashier than a cb. hell if you have a good cb then you dont even notice him

[January J]

This may be our best bet. Esp if we are serious about moving Webb to safety. Sure he said he doesn't want to play there permanently..but would he rather ride the bench? Or get released? I think not. The way it's looking now we will end up somewhere right around 4 or 5 so he might fall right into our lap. Tunsil and bosa will be gone In the top 4. So we nab Hargreaves...trade back into the back end of the first and nab ogbah...maybe even myles jack. then maybe we'll get lucky and Boyd will fall a little bit.or we can just grab cooper in the 3rd. Man now yall got me leaning towards Hargreaves. I feel like I'm playing musical chairs over here.

[TDubbs]

Really great write up of my favourite player in this draft, good work. VH3 is the next top CB in the NFL and boy could we use him to solidify our secondary for years to come. 

[Shutdown215]

I'm in agreement with PC, who is tired of A.J. Green last minutes heroics, Browns WR running wild during the game, and Antonio Brown having a field day

[Sami84]

I think Hargreaves and Ramsey are the best two DB prospects in a long long time..

 

i'd be happy with either..

 

I think we'll take ramsey for versatility.

[GrimCoconut]

I think Hargreaves and Ramsey are the best two DB prospects in a long long time..

i'd be happy with either..

I think we'll take ramsey for versatility.

I think we very well may as well. He's very versatile and we covet those types. He's the definition of boom or bust imo.

[Winchester]

I would take JJ watt or Walter Jones over revis or Haden any day!! Especially if there is already a franchise QB on board!! Just can not justify a cornerback when there is no left tackle and edge rushers closing in on 35 yrs old. And big$$ tied up in cornerbacks already. A dominant rush is fastest way back to dominance. An elite left tackle and retain osemele and the ravens front the most formidable Oline in the league. Then a couple decent receivers and Joe throws to them in a clean pocket while acclimated to Trestmans system and the ravens are the top offense. The Tunsil Bosa route is fastest route to overall team success

[sflegend89]

Love Hargreaves and Ramsey. I see them as a future Chris Harris Jr. and Patrick Peterson (obviously there are no carbon copies in the NFL but I think they have similar skill sets and potential.). This draft is overall weak but I do think there are some game changers on the defensive side of the ball. To me Bosa, Nkemdiche, Ramsey, Hargreaves can all be potential pro bowl level talents.

 

Which one fits our needs the most is very much still up for debate. I feel like we need playmakers more than anything, big reason why I'm such a strong advocate of Jalen Ramsey. QB's avoid him like the plague at CB but if we put him at FS and let him do his thing he could be a monster. Ramsey's instincts are outstanding and I feel like he could just be an absolute menace jumping routes and using those long arms playing center field.

 

The other big playmaker being Bosa, I think because of the position he plays he has the most value but it's going to be hard to get our hands on him if we're outside the top 3.

Edited November 28, 2015 by sflegend89

[PurpleCity5]

This may be our best bet. Esp if we are serious about moving Webb to safety. Sure he said he doesn't want to play there permanently..but would he rather ride the bench? Or get released? I think not. The way it's looking now we will end up somewhere right around 4 or 5 so he might fall right into our lap. Tunsil and bosa will be gone In the top 4. So we nab Hargreaves...trade back into the back end of the first and nab ogbah...maybe even myles jack. then maybe we'll get lucky and Boyd will fall a little bit.or we can just grab cooper in the 3rd. Man now yall got me leaning towards Hargreaves. I feel like I'm playing musical chairs over here.

This is what I believe. 

 

Tunsil, Bosa, and Hargreaves will be on our top 3, in order. I think Tunsil will be gone and I project we'll be picking at 5 which will make Bosa unavailable as well. I'd call up the San Francisco 49ers or the Philadelphia Eagles and tell them if they want Jared Goff or Paxton Lynch(If he's there) then they will have to cough up a future 1st, and a 2nd round pick. I would trade back and grab Hargreaves in the 1st. Before the night is over I would use the original 2nd round pick to trade back up for Ogbah, Myles Jack, or Shaq Lawson. Crazy thought(That is very unlikely to happen as of now), what if Ramsey himself drops similarly to how recent safeties have dropped? It's been quite a while since a safety last went into the top 10. Eric Berry was the last safety to go into the top 10, what if teams begin to doubt Ramsey's ability as a natural coverage safety, or what if they have concerns of a bust factor there? In that case, I would def. scoop him up like its no one's business if he fell into the mid-late 20s. Though I feel that as of today he's going into the top 10, you never know how things truly pan out.

 

Anyways, I would use the original 2nd to trade back into the 1st, and use the 2nd round pick from a trade to get Tyler Boyd. That's how I would attempt to take a crack at it. Imagine getting Hargreaves, Lawson/Ogbah, and Boyd in the same draft. I would go insane. 

[PurpleCity5]

I would take JJ watt or Walter Jones over revis or Haden any day!! Especially if there is already a franchise QB on board!! Just can not justify a cornerback when there is no left tackle and edge rushers closing in on 35 yrs old. And big$$ tied up in cornerbacks already. A dominant rush is fastest way back to dominance. An elite left tackle and retain osemele and the ravens front the most formidable Oline in the league. Then a couple decent receivers and Joe throws to them in a clean pocket while acclimated to Trestmans system and the ravens are the top offense. The Tunsil Bosa route is fastest route to overall team success

I don't think either Bosa or Tunsil will be there for us if we're picking at 5. That's just personally how I feel.

[Sami84]

This is what I believe. 

 

Tunsil, Bosa, and Hargreaves will be on our top 3, in order. I think Tunsil will be gone and I project we'll be picking at 5 which will make Bosa unavailable as well. I'd call up the San Francisco 49ers or the Philadelphia Eagles and tell them if they want Jared Goff or Paxton Lynch(If he's there) then they will have to cough up a future 1st, and a 2nd round pick. I would trade back and grab Hargreaves in the 1st. Before the night is over I would use the original 2nd round pick to trade back up for Ogbah, Myles Jack, or Shaq Lawson. Crazy thought(That is very unlikely to happen as of now), what if Ramsey himself drops similarly to how recent safeties have dropped? It's been quite a while since a safety last went into the top 10. Eric Berry was the last safety to go into the top 10, what if teams begin to doubt Ramsey's ability as a natural coverage safety, or what if they have concerns of a bust factor there? In that case, I would def. scoop him up like its no one's business if he fell into the mid-late 20s. Though I feel that as of today he's going into the top 10, you never know how things truly pan out.

 

Anyways, I would use the original 2nd to trade back into the 1st, and use the 2nd round pick from a trade to get Tyler Boyd. That's how I would attempt to take a crack at it. Imagine getting Hargreaves, Lawson/Ogbah, and Boyd in the same draft. I would go insane. 

 

i don't see how we are going to be 5th..

 

we aren't winning any games with matt schaub. cleveland and the 49ers play each other..

 

i'd say the safest best is 3rd.

[sflegend89]

I think we very well may as well. He's very versatile and we covet those types. He's the definition of boom or bust imo.

 

I think all DB's are boom or bust to an extent these days, look at Morris Claiborne at LSU. Looked like a PHENOMENAL corner at the next level, to many scouts and fans he was as close to a "sure thing" as it get's. Smooth in coverage, physical, great tackler, ball skills, instincts, swagger/tenacity... wasn't exactly the biggest guy but he seemed like he had all the intangibles.

 

It can definitely be a tough position for NFL scouts to evaluate, with the passing nature of the NFL it's a highly valued position but with the boom or bust nature of the prospects it's hard to commit a top 10 pick there, let alone at top 5 pick. The Patrick Peterson type of talents are rare but many do feel that Ramsey is that type of player that is deserving of top 5 status in an otherwise weak class.

[PurpleCity5]

i don't see how we are going to be 5th..

 

we aren't winning any games with matt schaub. cleveland and the 49ers play each other..

 

i'd say the safest best is 3rd.

I personally think we win the next game against Cleveland, but on the subject of Cleveland, I don't see them winning any games from here on out after Monday Night. Their schedule is ridiculous, I see no way they sneak a win. The 49ers can pull off an upset here and there IMO, they did beat the Falcons(who are frauds) and I think they beat Cleveland and pull off an upset win against someone else.

 

I think we win one more game which will pit us at 4-12 while Cleveland heads towards a 2-14 season. IMO San Diego, Tennessee, Cleveland and the Dallas will pick ahead of us. 

 

1. Cleveland Browns (2-8) 

2. San Diego Chargers (2-8)

3. Tennessee Titans (2-8)

4. Dallas Cowboys (3-8)

5. Baltimore Ravens (3-7)

6. San Francisco 49ers (3-7) 

7. Detroit Lions (4-7)

 

This is the current draft order, I feel that the top 5 will stay that way honestly. Cleveland has a schedule problem, San Diego has been awful and while Tennessee can make some upsets, they've got too many problems with both sides of the ball. I don't even need to explain how awful Dallas is without Romo.

Edited November 28, 2015 by PurpleCity5

[sflegend89]

MNF is going to have big draft ramifications, while the Browns fans in stadium will be cheering for their team.. I think the general attitude of this game is Browns fans are rooting for us and Ravens fans are rooting for them. 

 

Not too upset about Cleveland possibly picking ahead of us, while they may go for their hometown boy Bosa you have to think they are looking hard at Lynch/Goff.

Edited November 28, 2015 by sflegend89

[Sami84]

I personally think we win the next game against Cleveland, but on the subject of Cleveland, I don't see them winning any games from here on out after Monday Night. Their schedule is ridiculous, I see no way they sneak a win. The 49ers can pull off an upset here and there IMO, they did beat the Falcons(who are frauds) and I think they beat Cleveland and pull off an upset win against someone else.

 

I think we win one more game which will pit us at 4-12 while Cleveland heads towards a 2-14 season. IMO San Diego, Tennessee, Cleveland and the Dallas will pick ahead of us. 

 

1. Cleveland Browns (2-8) 

2. San Diego Chargers (2-8)

3. Tennessee Titans (2-8)

4. Dallas Cowboys (3-8)

5. Baltimore Ravens (3-7)

6. San Francisco 49ers (3-7) 

7. Detroit Lions (4-7)

 

This is the current draft order, I feel that the top 5 will stay that way honestly. Cleveland has a schedule problem, San Diego has been awful and while Tennessee can make some upsets, they've got too many problems with both sides of the ball. I don't even need to explain how awful Dallas is without Romo.

 

I can't see rivers not winning a game or two. He's too good of a QB. There is no chance of us winning tomorrow with a decimated O line featuring the legend of james hurst once again..If we lose tomorrow there is no way we are winning another game and i'm quite sure rivers can win 2 . Remember san diego have had a lot of injuries but not all season ending..they will get players back soon enough

[Sami84]

Sun, Dec 6

@

Dolphins

 

9:00 PM

 

 

Mon, Dec 14

vs

Seahawks

 

4:30 AM 12/14

 

 

Sun, Dec 20

vs

Chiefs

 

9:00 PM

 

 

Mon, Dec 28

vs

Steelers

 

4:30 AM 12/28

 

 

Sun, Jan 3

@

Bengals

 

9:00 PM

 

 

 

 

Nope...not winning any of these

[PurpleCity5]

I can't see rivers not winning a game or two. He's too good of a QB. There is no chance of us winning tomorrow with a decimated O line featuring the legend of james hurst once again..If we lose tomorrow there is no way we are winning another game and i'm quite sure rivers can win 2 . Remember san diego have had a lot of injuries but not all season ending..they will get players back soon enough

I can understand not seeing San Diego finishing that bad, but they are so decimated with injuries, honestly their injury situation is just as bad as ours and most will say its even worse than ours. 

 

How do we have no chance against Cleveland? Why do people act like Cleveland are word beaters? They only have two wins for a reason, they are not a good team. I think we have a good shot at beating them. After that, I don't think we win another game. 

[thieverycorporation]

MNF is going to have big draft ramifications, while the Browns fans in stadium will be cheering for their team.. I think the general attitude of this game is Browns fans are rooting for us and Ravens fans are rooting for them. 

 

Not too upset about Cleveland possibly picking ahead of us, while they may go for their hometown boy Bosa you have to think they are looking hard at Lynch/Goff.

I think they will seek BPA and then let the herd thin out. They can't keep throwing the horseshoe in that area and not pan out with serious ramifications if they miss again. I think they may go with Cast offs in free Agency. Or maybe pull a trade. They maybe are seriously considering Kap. He is a running style QB and thats what they envisioned from Johnnyfootballhead. They probably would sign him to a prove it deal. The cast of QB's in this years draft aren't exactly stellar.

Edited November 29, 2015 by thieverycorporation

[ravensnation5220]

i have to agree with his talent and hype but i feel like all this is still from last year. I heard hes been a little nicked up this year but any recent videos on him, all his highlights seem to be from last year Edited November 29, 2015 by Moderator 3
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