AFC East Draft Grades: New York Jets
- Updated: May 20, 2014
Safety Calvin Pryor
New York Jets
Analysis: The Jets did a nice job this draft of taking the best player available with some selections, and still filling need areas with others. Rex Ryan has a new toy for his secondary, and his name is Calvin Pryor, who is a seek-and-destroy safety. The Jets really have done an amazing job building a young, talented defense over the past three drafts. They already own one of the better defensive fronts in the league, and adding a player like Pryor brings even more physicality and presence to that side of the ball. In the second round, the Jets added a flex tight end in Texas Tech’s Jace Amaro, who was one of the more productive college players in the country. Amaro is not an in-line blocker, but knows how to get open and has decent straight-line speed. I wasn’t as high on him as many evaluators, because he really isn’t quick enough to consistently separate from NFL defenders, but getting him at No. 49 wasn’t a reach. The Jets hope third-round corner Dexter McDougle can provide an immediate upgrade to the only major weakness on the defensive side of the ball. McDougle is small, but is very tough and has good instincts. He possibly could push for a starting role, or become a third or fourth corner early in his career. The Jets used two of its three fourth-round selections to upgrade the wide receiver position with Jalen Saunders (Oklahoma) and Shaq Evans (UCLA). After adding Eric Decker and Jacoby Ford in free agency, the Jets are looking to add depth at the position. Saunders is more of a quick, slot-type receiver, while Evans is a bigger, possession-type wideout. With their remaining seven selections, the Jets added depth to the offensive line (guard Dakota Dozier) and linebacking corps (Jeremiah George, IK Enemkpali and Trevor Reilly). They also added Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd as a possible third-string quarterback that could possibly develop behind Michael Vick and Geno Smith.
Grade: B+
New York Jets – 2014 Draft Selections
1 (18) Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
2 (49) Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
3 (80) Dexter McDougle, CB, Maryland
4 (104) Jalen Saunders, WR, Oklahoma
4 (115) Shaquelle Evans, WR, UCLA
4 (137) Dakota Dozier, G, Furman
5 (154) Jeremiah George, LB, Iowa State
6 (195) Brandon Dixon, DB, Northwest Missouri State
6 (209) Quincy Enunwa, WR, Nebraska
6 (210) IK Enemkpali, LB, Louisiana Tech
6 (213) Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
7 (233) Trevor Reilly, LB, Utah
Related Posts
About Nick Sardina
