Jaguars Claim CB Don Carey Off Waivers

CB Don Carey making an interception return...

The Jaguars made a waiver claim on Don Carey, a corner-back who was cut by the Cleveland Browns. Carey is a player whom the Jaguars were reportedly interested in before the draft. He ended up being a 6th round selection, and came from a smaller school, Norfolk State. He's in the mold of most Gene Smith draft picks, having good measurables, and from all appearances he's a high character individual. I found this interesting overview.

Carey will be one of draftable cornerback prospects unearthed from outside the Football Bowl Subdivision. A four-year starter, he was second-team All-MEAC as a junior and was named on the first team in 2008. He accumulated eight interceptions and 14 pass breakups over those two seasons. An excellent student, Carey turned down a chance to attend Yale because it was cost prohibitive. His play at the East-West Shrine practices earned him a lot of credibility among scouts.

Don has acceptable speed, running a 4.5 40 yard dash at the combine, and he's showed adequite strength on the bench, with 18 reps. He played both free safety and corner in college, and shows the physicality necessary to be a cover 2 DB. Here is a pre-draft overview of the player.

Positives: Adequate height and a fair build throughout for his frame. ... Plays physically at the line and in coverage. ... Good straight-line speed and excellent recovery speed. ... Gets back into the play even if a receiver makes a nice head fake to get an advantage. ... Very capable of reading the quick screen or supporting the run on the outside.

Negatives: Lacks top-end speed and great strength. ... Will be a little too physical at times, might be susceptible to pass interference calls. ... Gets moved too easily by receiver blocks. ... Played against a lower level of competition and must speed up his recognition. ... Inconsistent hands for the interception.

The interesting aspect of this, is that we may have just claimed a player to put him on IR for a year. Carey suffered a shoulder injury, and it appears the Browns waived Carey because he wouldn't be likely to contribute this year. Carey is appears to be the type of player that Gene targeted in the draft, and the Jaguars liked Don before the draft. Gene is again showing why he is in control, utilizing every tool available to the team to shrewdly improve the roster. Swiping players from other team's practice squads, claiming injured players, trading players for players with other teams. Gene continues to do things to turn this team around, and quickly.

The team also resigned Drew Miller, C from UF, and cut UDFA David Halloway.

-Collin Streetman