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Why the Ravens should draft Calvin Pryor

Jamie Rhodes-US PRESSWIRE


Contrary to popular opinion, I believe that Pryor is a free safety. He himself affirms playing free safety in his first two years and only being moved all over the field this past year.

He ran the same 40-yard dash time as Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (4.58), and although the latter has more range, this proves that the athletic ability for Pryor to be able to cover the whole field is there. For the record, Ed Reed ran a 4.57. As for Pryor's range it becomes a matter of technique which I believe without a doubt that our coaches can teach because teaching defense is what we do best.

Here is what I believe he would add to the defense:

- He is an enforcer.
- The Ravens were soft last year, he brings the fear factor.
- He is bigger and stronger than Ward thus giving him the edge covering tight ends (Elam is too short to be paired with another short free safety).
- He has the highest upside of any safety.
- He is a playmaker causing fumbles and interceptions, the Ravens needed that last year.
- He has fantastic instincts.
- He has great ball skills.
- Can definitely cover deep halves.
- He is a hard worker who wants to get better.
- Free safety is a need and the Ravens likely won't get Jimmie Ward in the second round.

You might be thinking that the Ravens already have a physical safety with Elam an that the team needs one that can cover. I think that some are forgetting that Elam can cover too! Technically speaking, if the Ravens have two safeties that can at least cover the deep halves then the whole deep part of the field is covered.

Drafting Pryor gives the organization a secondary that could potentially be as good as Seattle's and could very well be the best in the AFC next year.

Here are some scouting reports:

Sports Illustrated

NFL.com

CBSSports.com

Even if Pryor gives plays up in his rookie season, he will make a ton. Adding that to the fact that the team's two starting corners are pretty damn good limits those big plays as well.

Pryor can be as good as Eric Reid was last year and that is, without a doubt, good enough.

The opinions posted here are those of the writer of this article. They are in no way official comments from the team, the editors of this site or SB Nation as a whole, and should not be misconstrued as such.

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