Jacksonville Jaguars: Demetrius McCray most underrated player

By Tyler Spinnenweber | Jul 15, 2015

When you think of top cornerbacks in the league Darrelle Revis, Richard Sherman, or Chris Harris Jr are the first to come to mind. Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Demetrius McCray is another name that should be getting a lot more consideration with this group. However, few outside of Jacksonville have heard of McCray.

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Taken in the 7th round in the 2013 draft out of Appalachian State, McCray saw limited time at cornerback his rookie year. Though he played in all 16 games his first year, most of it was spent on special teams. It wasn’t until week 4 of 2014 where McCray got his chance at cornerback. McCray’s first start was against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The coaches liked his performance well enough to give him the nod the rest of the season. McCray seized his opportunity.

Kevin Connaghan of Pro Football Focus used the Yards Per Cover Snap (YPCS) statistics to look at which cornerbacks excelled in 2014. Demetrius McCray ranked 4th on his list behind Chris Harris Jr, Richard Sherman, and Josh Norman.

Keep in mind McCray also matched up against some great receivers including T.Y. Hilton, Antonio Brown, A.J. Green, Dez Bryant, and Odell Beckham. McCray was targeted 57 times throughout the season, yet only conceded one touchdown.

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The Jaguars don’t garner much national attention, which is why McCray is underrated around the league.

Listed at 6’2 and 200 lbs, McCray is the ideal fit for head coach Gus Bradley’s scheme. After a promising sophomore year, the expectations of a 7th round pick are long gone. Coaches are hoping to see more improvement for McCray heading into year three.

In 2014, the Jaguars finished with a league low six interceptions. McCray had zero and knows this is where he needs to improve. “I’m not worried about it,” McCray said to Brian Sexton of Jaguars.com. “I’m motivated by it and I know that we have to get better at that.”

In addition to taking McCray in the 2013 draft, the Jaguars also selected safeties Johnathan Cyprien and Josh Evans, and cornerbacks Jeremy Harris and Dewayne Gratz. All four haven’t made much of an impact to date. McCray said that now is the time for this group to realize its potential. “We know it,” he told Sexton. “It motivates all of us – especially the guys who have been here since then.”

Gus Bradley frequently preaches competition within his team and tells them they can’t grow and get better in their comfort zone. McCray has plenty of competiton heading into training camp. The Jaguars brought in cornerback Davon House from Green Bay this offseason. House is excepted to start at one side for the Jaguars, while Aaron Colvin and Dewayne Gratz will compete with McCray for the other spot.

Colvin was a 4th round selection in the 2014 draft and missed a majority of the 2014 season after rehabbing a torn ACL he suffered at the Senior Bowl. Colvin would play the last six games for the Jaguars and instantly made an impact with a fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Giants in Week 13. Colvin would score the go-ahead touchdown and the Jaguars went on to complete a 21-point comeback, largest in team history.

Gratz on the other hand has started 21 games at cornerback for the Jags over the last two seasons, and although he’s battled injuries and inconsistency, he is still a player to keep an eye on.

Demetrius McCray will look to prove that 2014 was no fluke. If McCray progresses like he has his first two years, there is no reason his name won’t be mentioned with the other elite cover corners in this league in 2015.

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