New York Jets sign first round draft pick Calvin Pryor

By Cory Buck | Jun 2, 2014

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Calvin Pryor (Louisville) poses for a photo with commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number eighteen overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the New York Jets at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Jets are almost finished signing their rookies from a large incoming clas. Calvin Pryor, the first of 12 selected by New York in the 2014 NFL draft, has recently added his name to the list. Now the safety out of Louisville can focus on getting ready to challenge for the starting position on a New York defense that needed a boost in its secondary.

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Calvin Pryor comes to the Jets with a reputation as a fierce hitter, according to the team’s official announcement of his signing. His nickname Louisville Slugger is a little low on creativity, but who needs that when you make hits like these:

It appears that Pryor will fit right in with the Rex Ryan defense of the Jets. Ryan would be the first to tell you as much. “You talk about a passionate guy and the enthusiasm and everything else — you’ll see it,” said Ryan, per the announcement.

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This is the sixth straight year in which the Jets used a first round pick on a defensive player. Rex Ryan has never made it a secret about this team’s identity and management is sticking to that plan. In building a dominant, growing defense, the Jets can alleviate the pressure on second year quarterback Geno Smith in an effort to return to the playoffs in 2014. With most of their draft picks now signed, the team can turn to the next step in that process.

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