Calvin Pryor 2014 NFL Draft Profile
Final Word
There is no doubt that Calvin Pryor is a physical specimen, and his elite tools cause many people to salivate over his upside. He could become an All-Pro player in this league due to his speed, burst, athleticism, ball skills, lateral agility, and strength that enables him to make jarring hits. However, Pryor needs to become a much more consistent player before he can be considered a sure-fire first-round pick, and I think both Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Jimmie Ward are better prospects at this point. Not a whole lot separates these three safeties, so one important thing in Pryor’s favor is the belief that a good coaching staff can mold him into one of the game’s best safeties. Teams love working with guys with his physical tools, especially since they believe they can correct his lapses. If a team can help him cut down on his arm tackles, become more patient, get him to have more consistent technique (he’s deadly when he’s able to lead with his shoulder), and stop him from getting beat on double-moves, then he can bank on all of his tools and potential.
The matter of fit is the most interesting question regarding Pryor, and I actually think teams should use him at the same position he played in college. Again, his run defense and blitzing are usually best-utilized as an SS in an in-the-box role, but I don’t think his coverage skills match up with the coverage skills strong safeties in the NFL like T.J. Ward have. When he’s in man coverage in the slot, he’ll get caught with his eyes on the quarterback instead of on the receiver, and he’s terrible in short-yardage passing situations, as he doesn’t get his hips around. His technique and football acumen are best suited at free safety, especially since he’s more familiar there. While he is incredibly physical and displays great burst, his ball skills and style of play in coverage fit better at free safety, and he wasn’t burned much in zone coverage on tape (though it’s difficult to see without All-22).
In short, Calvin Pryor has as much potential as anyone in this class, and he could emerge as the best safety. However, he’s a boom-or-bust prospect, because his missed tackles and inconsistencies in coverage detract from his physical tools and excellent plays. Good coaching will enable him to be a very good safety in this league, but it’s also up to Pryor to put it together. I have faith in him, but I consider a guy like Ward to be undervalued due to his ability to excel in man coverage or zone coverage. Pryor can play at either free safety and strong safety, so he also has versatility. I think his success in the pros will be determined by the scheme he plays in and the quality of the coaching staff. In fact, the team that drafts him needs to be patient with developing him, because his career trajectory could match up with Donte Whitner’s. He could start off as an electrifying player due to his hits, with more savvy viewers noting all of the mistakes he makes. Once he cleans those up, though, he could be one of the NFL’s more well-regarded safeties. Pryor has All-Pro upside, but he also has Brandon Meriweather-type downside to him, as those who are enamored with his physical tools are also turned off by his potential floor.
Overall Grade: 2nd