Niner Noise
FanSided

2016 NFL Draft: Round 1 Mock for All 32 Teams

By Peter Panacy

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell begins the draft and puts the Houston Texans on the clock at the start of the 2014 NFL draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell begins the draft and puts the Houston Texans on the clock at the start of the 2014 NFL draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 33
Next
Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) runs out of the tunnel before the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) runs out of the tunnel before the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 9: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2015 Record: 6-10

The Pick: CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers give up a lot of touchdowns through the air and finished their 2015 campaign with 31 allowed — 25th in the NFL. Cornerbacks Alterraun Verner and Sterling Moore haven’t exactly done much for the Bucs defense, and Tampa Bay needs some upgrades within the secondary.

Oh, and the Buccaneers could use some turnover help as well. Eleven interceptions was tied for 21st in the league.

Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III makes a lot of sense here. The 5’11”, 199-pound cornerback generated 10 picks over three seasons with the Gators and would be an immediate upgrade over Verner and Moore within the secondary.

Tampa Bay has plenty of other defensive needs and could use some pass-rushing help. But Hargreaves makes the most sense this early in the draft.

Next: No. 10: New York Giants