Since 2016, the Houston Texans have struggled to find consistency at the cornerback position. The 2019 season marks an attempted end at that notion, as Houston has adamantly worked on improving the roster.
Following the release of former nickel Aaron Colvin, the Texans brought in two former first-round picks, Gareon Conley and Vernon Hargreaves. Conley got his revenge game, against the Oakland Raiders, days after his trade. On Saturday, Hargreaves will get his.
The Texans will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday. Earlier in the season, the Bucs released Hargreaves, a Tampa native, after making him a first-round pick in 2016. Houston scooped him up off waivers and they like what they see.
“He’s done good,” Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said on Hargreaves on Thursday. “He’s made some plays. I think he’s helped us.”
Hargreaves has moved from outside cornerback in Tampa Bay to nickel in Houston. In doing so, he has tallied 17 combined tackles and two pass deflections in four games played.
According to Pro Football Reference, Hargreaves has allowed 195 yards and a touchdown on 25 targets in coverage. A Florida product who struggled immensely with the Buccaneers, the Texans are hoping that the change from outside to inside will come with an uptick in production.
Hargreaves must hope it too. Though the Texans gave a bid in confidence by adding him from waivers, he still has to prove that he is worth staying on board next year, considering his pricey contract.
The Texans can cut his non-guaranteed $9.59 million fifth-year option after the season unless he sustains a severe injury. If they don’t view the 24-year-old as a starter or full-time nickel in their defense, he could be gone.
Hargreaves, realistically, has at least three games to prove he belongs. First, he’ll have to play well against his former team, then against a rival in the Tennessee Titans. If Houston wins one of those games or the Titans lose one, he’ll have to prove his worth in the playoffs for the first time.