The Houston Texans saved salary cap space with the release of cornerback Vernon Hargreaves on Friday.
The release of the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2016 first-round pick saved the Texans nearly $10 million in cap space. Even though the Texans could have gotten younger at the position with former 2017 Oakland Raiders first-rounder Gareon Conley on one side and Hargreaves on the other, the production from the ex-Florida Gator in his six games with the Texans, two of which he started, was too scarce to justify such a cap hit against the Texans’ books.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hargreaves had a 52.1 coverage grade in his short time with the Texans after they claimed him off waivers on Nov. 13. The figure was hardly better than his 44.7 grade with the Buccaneers through the first nine games.
The release of Vernon Hargreaves was expected with his $9.9 million fifth-year option kicking in.
Hargreaves's 52.1 coverage grade with the Texans wasn't much better than his 44.7 mark with the Buccaneers in 2019.
— PFF HOU Texans (@PFF_Texans) February 15, 2020
Hargreaves batted away two passes and recorded 21 tackles, including one tackle for loss, while with the Texans.
The release of Hargreaves saves Houston money, but they still have decisions to make at cornerback with starters Johnathan Joseph and Bradley Roby set to hit free agency on March 18.