One Less Thing To Worry About: Jets Sign First Round Pick Calvin Pryor
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Jets had 12 picks in the 2014 draft. Incredibly, three weeks later, 11 of their selections are signed, including first round pick Calvin Pryor.
The hard-hitting safety signed with the Jets on Monday, leaving just their third round pick, Maryland cornerback Dexter McDougle, unsigned.
Pryor's deal is a standard four-year rookie contract, plus a fifth-year team option. His entire deal is worth $8.56 million, fully guaranteed, according to the rookie slotting system. Pryor received a signing bonus of about $4.5 million.
Getting Pryor in the fold is a bonus for head coach Rex Ryan, who figures to feature the former star at Louisville prominently in his complex defense. Barring something unforeseen, Pryor likely will start and be paired with veteran Dawan Landry.
Pryor is already a fan favorite among fans and is very active on Twitter.
The 5-foot-10, 207-pound safety, who was selected No. 18 overall, missed team drills during OTA workouts last week due to issues with his wisdom teeth, but Ryan said he has no concerns about what Pryor will bring to the table.
"You talk about a passionate guy and the enthusiasm and everything else, you'll see it. When he gets out there, you'll see it," Ryan said.
Pryor had a stellar 2013 season for Louisville. He was named first-team all-American Athletic Conference
after recording 75 tackles. He also had five tackles for a loss, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Safety wasn't considered a glaring area of need, but it became apparent after the Jets signed aging Ed Reed midway through last season that they were eventually going to overhaul the position.
Pryor told WFAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts not long after the draft that starting right away is not necessarily something that has to happen.
"My main focus is to come in here, make the team first and foremost, and try to be a great teammate and a great leader," Pryor said.
Pryor was nick-named the "Louisville Slugger" in college for a reason. He hit everything, and not just wide receivers over the middle. The Jets will likely be counting on him to bring his speed and anticipation, along with his hammer, as a run-stopper as well.
"That's why I think I fit this scheme really well because they ask the safety to do a lot, such as play man coverage, play half field, blitz from time to time, so you have a mixture of things as a safety that you have to be the complete, total package to do it all," Pryor said.
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