Newly acquired Houston Texans cornerback Vernon Hargreaves is still getting acclimated to his new employer. While he learns the ropes of the Texans organization, he also is adjusting to playing in a new alignment.
On Monday, Hargreaves said he expects to play inside for the Texans. He previously played the majority of his snaps as an outside cornerback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Playing nickel corner isn’t new to Hargreaves. In 2017, while struggling outside, Tampa Bay moved him to the inside in Week 7 of the season. The results: positive.
In four weeks playing slot cornerback in 2017, Hargreaves graded in as Pro Football Focus‘ second-highest graded corner. He allowed a catch rate below 37.5% in coverage and 0.41 yards per coverage snap.
Hargreaves is adjusting to getting the Texans’ defensive calls down, which are more numerous while playing nickel.
“Corner is a little bit easier because the calls aren’t as complex as playing on the inside, and I think I’ll be playing inside,” Hargreaves said on Monday. “You know I got to communicate a little more, got to talk a little more, got to see a little more. We’ll see how far I can come along, and then we’ll see how it plays out.”
Despite Hargreaves’ relative newness to the Texans, he believes he has the calls down with his new team. His experience in the NFL has helped him understand what Houston is asking from him in terms of a defensive standpoint.
“Being around it for my fourth year now, I understand what’s going on defensively,” said Hargreaves. “There’s only so much you can do, you know? The terms change, but you know there’s only so much you can do on defense. I’m not nervous or confused about picking anything up.”
Hargreaves and the Texans are looking for redemption. The 11th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, he didn’t work out in Florida as the lockdown outside corner they hoped he’d be. Now, in Texas, he doesn’t have the pressure of being a high draft pick, but he may have a new position that compliments him.