CB Vernon Hargreaves
Talk about a player in need of a fresh start, Vernon Hargreaves must capitalize on the guidance and leadership of new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. Hargreaves, who is now on his fourth chance after continuously burning the trust of former defensive coordinator Mike Smith, will not get many more chances moving forward.
While Hargreaves has had injury issues as well that have kept him from seeing the field in Tampa Bay, he has also had a series of off-the-field instances that have raised some eyebrows of the Buccaneers as well. Not to mention, his play has been poor when he has been on the field for the Buccaneers as well.
Hargreaves missed all of last season, facing a season-ending injury in the first game of the year. He has started 24 games through his first three seasons in the league, but has only intercepted just one pass. In addition, he has defended 15 total passes, forced two fumbles, and four tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Under Bowles, Hargreaves will be able to get back to the press-man coverage, where he thrived in college with the Florida Gators. If he cannot produce consistent numbers on the field this year, he may never see that fifth-year option that the Buccaneers just picked up.