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McCray's success encourages Jaguars to keep mining for small-school gems

The Jaguars used to be a haven for small-school draft picks under former general manager Gene Smith.

That didn’t go so well.

Current Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell has used 16 of his 17 draft picks in his two drafts to take players competing at college football’s highest level. The lone exception is a quality one. Cornerback Demetrius McCray was selected in the seventh round out of Appalachian State in 2013 and has become a solid starter.

“It really takes two years for most of these college guys, regardless of what level they play, to develop into their own,” Caldwell said.