Cornerback run continues as Cox signs with San Diego

The 2013 free agent cornerback class is a buyer’s market for any of the 32 franchises looking to acquire a new defensive back. With a deluge of talent widely available for the taking, teams won’t be forced to overspend on a player that may not live up to the expectations set by his shiny new deal.

With the contracts of cornerbacks Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer expiring on Tuesday, the San Diego Chargers are one of several teams looking to take advantage of the favorable cornerback market. Having come up short in their bid to sign former Indianapolis Colt Jerraud Powers, the team simply moved on to the next option, agreeing to a four-year deal worth $20 million ($10.25 million guaranteed) with former Jacksonville Jaguar Derek Cox on Wednesday, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Injuries limited Cox to just 18 of a possible 32 games over the last two seasons, but the 26-year-old out of William & Mary has a resume that includes four interceptions in three of his four campaigns in the NFL. In addition, the newest member of the San Diego Chargers surrendered a passer rating of just 69.0 to opposing quarterbacks who threw in his direction last season (16th-best among CBs in NFL).

Cox joins offensive tackle King Dunlap, tight end John Phillips and offensive guard Chad Rinehart as the current free agent additions made by the Chargers this week.

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