Buccaneers Have Visits Scheduled with Spence and Hargreaves

Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Eastern Kentucky defensive lineman Noah Spence speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Eastern Kentucky defensive lineman Noah Spence speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Buccaneers are meeting with two of the big prospects, Noah Spence and Vernon Hargreaves.

It’s prep time for the NFL draft.  College prospects are hosting teams for their pro days, and making their way around the league to visit with teams to make their cases to be drafted.  Teams are interviewing and evaluating, trying to determine who the best fit for their team will be.  The Buccaneers are no different.  With the ninth pick in the first round, they will have a choice of talented players to choose from.

More from Bucs News

As the days get closer, we hear about the different visits that are scheduled, and the Bucs have two visits with top players coming.

Now, either one of these two players would be an asset.  Both are worthy of the number nine pick.  For a detailed profile on Spence, take a look here.  In the coming weeks, we will take a closer look at Hargreaves.

One is a ferocious edge pass rusher, the other is a ball-hawk at corner.  What is a team to do?  Look at the recent moves, and the answer, between these two, becomes clearer.

They have added Josh Robinson to the team, as well as Brent Grimes.  Both of these guys stand at 5’10” tall.  Alterraun Verner stands at 5’10” as well, with the tallest being Johnthan Banks, who comes in at 6’2″.

Feb 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves goes through a workout drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves goes through a workout drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Now, Hargreaves is a ball-hawk.  Ten interceptions over his career in Florida is evidence of that.  But, he also stands below six feet, at 5’11”.  Kelvin Benjamin stands at 6’5″ tall. Julio Jones isn’t much smaller, coming in at 6’4″.  Brandin Cooks, but the Saints also currently have two receivers on their roster that are 6’5″ or bigger.

As good as the new additions may be, and as good as Hargreaves may be, the Bucs are going to need some size to match up with these players.  Adding another player shorter than six feet tall, when you have these opponents twice a year, might not be the best idea.

Noah Spence comes to the NFL with baggage.  He got himself banned from the Big Ten, forcing a transfer away from the Ohio State Buckeyes to Eastern Kentucky University.  It will take due diligence on the Bucs part in determining whether or not he should be the guy they choose.  But if they are comfortable with his growth off of the field, between these two players, he is the obvious choice on the field.

Noah Spence would be a better fit than Vernon Hargreaves.