William and Mary Cornerback Derek Cox snags an interception
In what may be the most unexpected 2nd day move so far, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded a 7th round pick in 2009 and their 2010 2nd round pick for the 73rd overall pick to select Derek Cox, a cornerback from William & Mary.
Derek, for obvious reasons, is somewhat unknown. All my usual draft sources are coming up very short. He's a small school prospect who had every good measurables at his Pro-Day. The senior clocked in with times of 4.39 and 4.42 in the 40-yard dash — elite marks for any player — while displaying a 36.5-inch vertical jump and an outstanding mark of 11’8" in the broad jump.
He played against weak competition, but the Jaguars clearly feel that he is a prospect that can develop into a shutdown corner. The Patriots, Eagles, and Colts all visited with Cox in the run-up to the draft, so there's clearly talent there. The Jaguars, lets not forget, have outstanding luck with small school prospects. Rashean Mathis and Justin Durrant can all vouch for that.
Measurables: 6-1, 186 lbs.
Experts Take: Consensus Draft Services:
Overview
Derek is a 2004 graduate of J.H. Rose High School in Winterville, North Carolina where he was a two-year letter winner at running back, defensive back, wide receiver and kick returner. His team won the 2003 4A State Championship. Derek was named first-team All-Pitt County at defensive back and was also named to the NCpreps.com all-state squad. He tallied 10 interceptions as a junior and led the squad in tackles in the state championship game. Cox also ran five kicks back for touchdowns as a senior. He also played center field for the state championship baseball team.At William & Mary, Derek ran with scout team as a freshman in 2004. In 2005, he began to show the promise of things to come when he played special teams in all 11 games, and earned his first two starts as a CB near the end of the season during which he was fairly productive. In 2006, Cox emerged as one of the top cover corners in the league in first full season as a starter. He tied for fifth on the team that year with 59 total tackles and he led the squad with 41 solos. He also led the team with nine pass break-ups and added an interception and two fumble recoveries.
In 2007, Derek earned his first career All-CAA honors, by being named as a third-team selection and served as a team co-captain. He started all 11 games and led the team with three interceptions. He tied for sixth on the team with 51 tackles and was second on team in pass break-ups with five.
In 2008, he compiled 43 tackles, 2 TFLs, 3 interceptions and 5 other passes broken up.
LATE NOTE: Set the NFL scouting world on its ear with an outstanding Pro Day workout where he ran 4.39/4.42 seconds in the forty with a 36.5" vertical, an 11'8" (best this draft season by any player from any school at any position) broad jump, a 4.11 short shuttle, a 6.80 3-cone drill, and 12 reps on the bench.
Strengths
Big, rangy corner who has some really nice coverage skills. Legitimate makeup speed. Has decent hands and has become more and more dangerous as an interception maven and big play corner every season. Fluid and athletic.
Weaknesses
Level of competition concerns. Not all that strong. May get abused by physical receivers. Good, but not a great openfield tackler.