Scouting the NFL Draft: Calvin Pryor

Dec 5, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Louisville Cardinals safety

(25) against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Time to take a look at another draft prospect. As much as the Jets need weapons on the offensive side of the football, a free safety wouldn’t hurt either. The Jets were beaten by the deep ball a lot last season, as we all painfully watched. A fast guy that can play “center field” and attack the football would help.

In walks Calvin Pryor from Louisville.

Here are his stats from while he was in school:

Defense & Fumbles

He measures in at 6’1″, 210 pounds.

These are some initial thoughts from the player’s NFL draft profile:

Pryor might be the most physical football player in the entire draft. Against the run, he is very quick to diagnose and he explodes to the alley. He takes correct angles and he doesn’t need to gear down before securing the tackle. He uncoils his hips on contact and he’s produced several impressive hits this season. Against the pass, he has the instincts and ball skills to play over the top, and he has enough speed/agility to match up in man coverage. He’s a complete safety.

Take a look at some footage:

PROS: His scouting report calls him possibly “the most physical player in the draft”. Not watching everyone it’s hard to say, but he sure is a physical player. He will make offensive players hear footsteps, as when he gets you in his cross-hairs, watch out. He takes the right angle to the football and doesn’t miss.

He also does have good ball skills. When he is roaming, he can get to the football, and he can make a play on that football. He has good hands, and body control to come down in the field of play near the sidelines.

CONS: Watching him tackle, Calvin Pryor is going to have to be careful at times. At least from the footage, he tends to go high a bit, and his shoulder was dangerously close to some blows to the head. He must be careful to watch for personal fouls. There is no evidence of great man to man skills either, although that isn’t the biggest attribute we are looking for in a free safety.

Bottom line, a guy like this might be a nice investment. Pryor can clearly play, and would be an asset to a vulnerable back-end of the Jets’ defense.