A Florida native, former Florida Gator and Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Vernon Hargreaves should feel foreign in Texas. Yet, the newest member of the Texans secondary feels at home in Houston.
“It’s great. It’s hard to put it into words,” Hargreaves said on Thursday. “It feels good that they want me here. It feels good that I’m playing better. I think I fit in. We’ll see how the season ends, but I feel like I could be here for the long term.”
A first-round pick in 2016, Hargreaves wore out his welcome with the Buccaneers, leading to a release on Nov. 12. The Texans picked him up off waivers.
In two games, including one start, with the Texans, Hargreaves has recorded 11 combined tackles and two pass deflections. According to Pro Football Reference, he has allowed a 117.2 passer rating in coverage. Most of his snaps have come as a nickel cornerback.
Hargreaves is, essentially, auditioning for a spot with the Texans in 2020. With four games left in the regular season, the 24-year-old must show he is worth that $9.594 million fifth-year option for next year. If not, Houston can cut him with no dead cap, if he does not sustain a serious injury.
“We’ll see how it works out. It’s going good right now, and I’m happy,” said Hargreaves.