Derek Cox Could Be Off The Market Quickly

November 8, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Derek Cox (21) prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars are dangerously thin in the defensive secondary.  They have a number of cornerbacks hitting free agency, chief among them is their best player at the position: Derek Cox.  Cox has been a standout when on the field but has been limited due to injury over the past few seasons, not completing a full season since his stellar rookie campaign.

The Jaguars, realizing their major deficiency after releasing Aaron Ross, are reportedly talking with Cox before he hits the free market at 4:00 pm on Tuesday.  Cox is expected to fetch a larger price tag in free agency so it was expected the Jags would shy away, but if the team could get a deal done early on Tuesday, or even into the early parts of free agency, the team would secure themselves a starting caliber corner that could work in Gus Bradley’s defense.

Getting the deal done early is paramount, because Cox is not expected to sit on the market for long.

Cox’s agent recently said, “Whether it’s 4 o’clock or late at night, I’m not sure. But I do get the impression that it should be pretty quick when it opens. That could change if a couple players might slow the process down.”

The impression I get from that statement is that Cox will not the trend-setter or price-point on which other deals are based, but will get his deal done based on the value of other defensive backs getting deals.  Hopefully there will be a bit more time and the Jags can continue negotiations with their best cornerback, but the team may have to focus on the draft and second-tier free agents in order to replenish the deficiencies developing in the defensive backfield.

– Luke N. Sims

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