Ravens To Sign Derek Cox

9:20am: Wide receiver Jace Davis, who signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Northern Colorado in May, will be cut to make room on the roster for Cox, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter).

9:06am: Two days after he was released by the Vikings, cornerback Derek Cox has found a new home, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, who reports (via Twitter) that the Ravens will sign the veteran free agent. Per Wilson (Twitter links), Cox visited the Ravens yesterday and will officially ink his minimum salary benefit deal today.

Cox, who turns 28 next month, spent his first four seasons with the Jaguars before signing a four-year, $20MM contract with the Chargers in 2013. However, he was released after just one season, despite receiving $10.25MM in guaranteed money. Cox played in all 16 games for the Chargers in 2013, but started only 11 games, and signed a modest one-year, $1MM pact with Minnesota in March. A lack of guaranteed money in that deal made it easy for the Vikings to cut ties with him this week as roster cutdowns begin.

Although the Ravens have been on the lookout for cornerback help for a good portion of the offseason, it remains to be seen whether Cox will be the answer for the club. The fact that he’s been cut twice in the last six months suggests that at least two clubs didn’t believe he’d contribute positively in 2014, and that appears to be a fair assessment based on Pro Football Focus’ grades of his 2013 performance (subscription required) — Cox ranked 106th out of 110 qualified corners.

The Ravens will have to make a corresponding roster move to clear space for Cox once the signing becomes official.

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