Derek Sinclair Cox (born September 22, 1986) is a former
American football
American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The offense, the team wi ...
cornerback
A cornerback (CB) is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in gridiron football. Cornerbacks cover Wide receiver, receivers most of the time, but also blitz and defend against such Play from scrimmage, offensive running plays as sweep ...
. He was drafted by the
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division. The team pla ...
in the third round of the
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York, on April 25 and 26, 2009. ...
. He played
college football at
William & Mary.
Cox has also played for the
San Diego Chargers,
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. Founded in 1960 as an expansi ...
,
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The team plays it ...
, and the
New England Patriots.
High school career
Cox attended
Junius H. Rose High School in
Greenville, North Carolina. He played with
Houston Texans running back
A running back (RB) is a member of the offensive backfield in gridiron football. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback to rush the ball, to line up as a receiver to catch the ball,
and block. Ther ...
Andre Brown.
College career
Cox was a four-year starter for William & Mary. He was a two-time All-
Colonial Athletic Association selection and finished his senior season tied for fifth in the CAA with four interceptions and returned a pair of those for touchdowns.
Professional career
2009 NFL Draft
Despite not being invited to the
NFL Scouting Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine is a week-long showcase occurring every February at Lucas Oil Stadium (and formerly at the RCA Dome until 2008) in Indianapolis, where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Foo ...
, Cox was selected by the Jaguars in the third round of the
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York, on April 25 and 26, 2009. ...
.
Jacksonville Jaguars
In his first NFL game, Cox intercepted a
Peyton Manning pass intended for
Reggie Wayne
Reginald Wayne (born November 17, 1978) is a former American football wide receiver who played 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Miami, and was drafted ...
and also recovered a fumble. Cox finished his rookie season with 58 tackles and 4 interceptions.
Cox missed the first two games of the
2012 season due to an injury and returned in Week 3 to face the
Indianapolis Colts. Cox finished the 2012 campaign with a career best 60 tackles; he also had 1 FF and 4 interceptions.
San Diego Chargers
On March 13, 2013 Cox agreed to a four-year deal with the
San Diego Chargers In week 6, Cox intercepted
Andrew Luck
Andrew Austen Luck (born September 12, 1989) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. One of the most highly touted amateur prospects during hi ...
to help win the game. Cox was benched three times during the regular season due to inconsistent play. He lost his starting job to veteran
Richard Marshall in week 13. Cox finished the season on special teams and managed career-lows, 38 tackles and only 1 interception. He was released on March 4, 2014.
Minnesota Vikings
On March 13, 2014, Cox signed a one-year contract with the
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. Founded in 1960 as an expansi ...
.
He was cut after the third preseason game, on August 25, 2014.
Baltimore Ravens
On August 27, 2014, Cox signed a one-year contract with the
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The team plays it ...
. He was released three days later. Cox did not play in the 2014 season.
New England Patriots
On June 8, 2015, Cox was signed by the
New England Patriots; the team released him on August 1, 2015.
NFL awards and honors
*''Athlon Sports'' All-Rookie Team (2009)
*''Ourlads Scouting'' All-Rookie Team (2009)
*2010 Pro Bowl Alternate
References
External links
Minnesota Vikings bioJacksonville Jaguars bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cox, Derek
1986 births
Living people
People from Winterville, North Carolina
Players of American football from North Carolina
American football cornerbacks
William & Mary Tribe football players
Jacksonville Jaguars players
San Diego Chargers players
Minnesota Vikings players
Baltimore Ravens players
New England Patriots players