Chargers release Derek Cox

The San Diego Chargers have released former Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Derek Cox, according to a report by Michael Gehlkin. The Jaguars originally drafted Cox in the third-round of the 2010 NFL Draft, but new general manager Dave Caldwell let him hit the free agent market last offseason.

Cox was due $4.25 million in base salary for 2014, so the Chargers released him to save a bit on their cap. Cox originally signed a five-year, $20 million deal with the Chargers in the offseason with a $5.2 million signing bonus. The Jaguars front office took a lot of criticism for letting Cox and defensive tackle Terrance Knighton hit the free agent market, but it looks like with at least one of them they gambled and were correct.

Cox's only season with the Chargers was woeful as he was benched part way through the season. According to ProFootballFocus, Cox was graded as the one of the worst corners in the league in 2013, ranking 104th out of 110 players playing at least 25 percent of their team's snaps.