Kansas City Chiefs Scouting Report: Vernon Hargreaves III

The Kansas City Chiefs could potentially lose one of their best defensive players this offseason, as cornerback Sean Smith is hitting the free agent market. Could the team place be looking to replace him in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft?

Sean Smith was one of the KC Chiefs’ best players in 2015, but there’s a good chance that he won’t be back with the team this year. With Smith looking to be paid like a top cornerback, the Chiefs might have to let him walk, and therefore will have to be looking for a replacement for him in the draft.

One of the best cornerbacks available in this year’s draft is Vernon Hargreaves III out of Florida. Hargreaves is also considered to be a top 15 prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft.

CBS Sports acknowledges Hargreaves’ quickness, balance, and route recognition, saying that it’s hard not to gush over him. They also point out that it’s rare when a freshman enters the SEC as a standout, but that’s exactly what Hargreaves was.

During three years with the Florida Gators, Vernon Hargreaves III totaled 121 tackles, 27 defended passes, ten interceptions, and a forced fumble (he also had two recovered fumbles to his name). It’s really no surprise that the young corner opted to forego his senior season and enter the draft early, as he’s almost a lock to be a first round pick.

Hargreaves is also relentless when it comes to covering receivers. It doesn’t matter if his opponent is much bigger than him, Hargreaves will be all over defending him.

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Some of the knocks on Hargreaves, however, is that at 5’10”, he’s a little shorter than preferred at the cornerback position. He also sometimes will just go for the football with taller ballcarriers rather than try to get them to the ground.

While Hargreaves is a top 15 talent, both Dane Brugler and Rob Rang of CBS Sports have him being selected within the top ten. Rang has Hargreaves going eighth overall to the Miami Dolphins and Brugler predicts he’ll be the ninth overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

So, yes, it will likely be difficult for the Kansas City Chiefs to select Vernon Hargreaves III on draft day. They’ll have to hope he slides tremendously, or will have to trade up, neither of which are likely going to happen.

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Of course, there’s also still a chance that the Chiefs bring Sean Smith back, in which case drafting a cornerback in the first round certainly won’t happen. Still though, if Kansas City needs a new cornerback in the first round, Vernon Hargreaves III is one of the best this year’s draft has to offer.

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