Calvin Pryor has emerged as one of the best free safeties in the 2014 NFL Draft since the college football season ended. He has a ton of highlight reel plays, and he can simply put a hurt offensive players. Pryor and Hakeem Smith made up perhaps the best safety tandem in college football last season. Both complemented each other extremely well. Let's take a look at eDraft's official scouting report on the prospect.
College: Louisville
Ht: 6'0"
Wt: 210
Strengths
Field vision: As a free safety, having good field vision is a big thing. Pryor shows the ability to oversee everything in front of him, and that will be something an NFL defense loves about him.
Big-hitter: As I said earlier, Pryor is the biggest hitter in this draft class. Although he is a little smaller than the ideal free safety, Pryor is able to pack a punch.
Ball-skills: These three traits combined makes Pryor special, and NFL scouts are taking notice. When the ball is air, there is a great chance that Pryor makes a play on it.
Weaknesses
Penalties: At the same time of going for the big hit, Pryor can be penalized once in awhile. The NFL has been cracking down on this issue as of late, and Pryor will need to learn to hit below the neck.
Fluidity: Pryor has trouble turning his hips, and that will be a problem in the NFL with all of the speedy players at the next level. Pryor will need to improve this part of his game going forward.
One-on-one coverage: Pryor is good when the ball is in the air and he is tracking it down. But in one-on-one coverage, Pryor has trouble. He really has no experience covering slot receivers too.
NFL Comparison: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
It's hard to make this comparison because Polamalu will one day be in the Hall of Fame. Pryor reminds me of Polamalu because he plays with a hammering style of play. Pryor can make big hits, and he can be a good safety in the NFL with his ability to find the ball.
Draft Outlook
Safeties are always needed in the NFL, and Pryor could play free safety or strong safety. His versatility and play-making ability makes Pryor an intriguing prospect. Pryor will be drafted in the first round, and a team will be happy to get this player because he will bring tenacity and energy to an NFL defense.
Best Fits
I look at a team like the Dallas Cowboys who could a player like Pryor in their defensive backfield. The combination of J.J. Wilcox and Jeff Heath was awful in 2013, and Pryor would be an instant upgrade on this defense across from Barry Church.
Other possible fits include the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the New England Patriots.