Projecting Buccaneers’ Camp Battle Winners

Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter (left) and defensive end Noah Spence (57) talk as they work out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter (left) and defensive end Noah Spence (57) talk as they work out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (28) works out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (28) works out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback

Ok, the Bucs have some shiny new toys here; Pro Bowler Brent Grimes, first round pick Vernon Hargreaves, as well as Alterraun Verner and Johnthan Banks being given one more shot to remain in Pewter and Red. So who will be lining up week one?

Grimes is a slam dunk. There is a 100% chance he starts. As for the other starting spot? Well, that’s a head-scratcher.

More from The Pewter Plank

Projecting Hargreaves to start at nickel, which may or may not be an “official” starting spot depending on what formation they line up with to start the game, is a pretty solid assumption as well. You can make the argument that nickel corner is a starter, and it would be hard to dispute that. I certainly wouldn’t. So, we can name Grimes and VH3 as two-thirds of the starting corners.

So who lines up opposite Grimes?

The edge here goes to Verner. Banks has been less than impressive in OTAs and mini-camp and Verner is reunited with secondary coach Jon Hoke who, as most of you know, helped Verner become a Pro Bowl corner while he was with the Titans. Banks has a long road ahead of him if he wants to live up to the expectations that came with him being a second-round pick in 2013.

Next: Tight End