Calvin Pryor will challenge starting safeties Dawn Landry and Antonio Allen.
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The Jets selected Louisville safety Calvin Pryor, a hard-hitter in the secondary who is hailed by draft insiders as a “good value selection,” with their first-round pick.
While many expected the Jets to go wide receiver or cornerback, Pryor fits a need and his physical skill set is perfect for the Jets defense.
But what does Dan Shonka, a former NFL scout with the Eagles, Redskins and Chiefs, who also boasts coaching experience at the college level, think about Pryor as a player? The general manager and national scout for the recruiting website OurLads.com, Shonka gave Metro his assessment on the Jets’ top two draft picks. He gave high marks to second-round selection Jace Amaro. Today, he analyzes the Jets’ first-round addition.
Pryor fell to the Jets at No. 18 though he was valued in most mock drafts a few spots higher.
Shonka wrote an evaluation profile of Pryor, similar to the type he’d have written as a scout.
Calvin Pryor, Louisville
Junior entry. Three-year starter. A physical safety who breaks quickly on the ball and punishes the ball carrier when he arrives.
A reliable talent with good ball skills who can also make splash highlight plays. Second-leading tackler with 75 stops. Athletic with good foot quickness and hip flexibility. Can recover and has closing quickness with drive on run and ball. Has a well-earned reputation as a heavy-hitter contact player. No problems with tackling courage here.
A competitor with confidence and poise. Has a wide range and can make the acrobatic interception. Throws his body at ball carriers. Good coverage on special teams.
Was inconsistent in open field tackles early in the year. Inconsistent angles in 2012 and early 2013. Good late-season improvement.
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
