New York Jets draft Calvin Pryor 18th overall

NEW YORK -- The New York Jets have once again bypassed offense in the first round of the NFL draft.

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The Jets selected Louisville safety Calvin Pryor with the 18th overall pick on Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall. It marks the fifth consecutive year the Jets have gone defense in the first round.

Pryor fills a serious area of need for Gang Green, giving Rex Ryan a hard-hitting enforcer who adds serious attitude in the back end.

"That is really an interesting pick," NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock said. "If you remember Bob Sanders in his prime in Indianapolis, this guy is a bigger Bob Sanders. He is a bullet. ... Maybe the most fearless defensive back I saw on tape this year. He flies around the field. He makes plays. ... I think he's a little better on the back end than people give him credit for."

The Jets' run defense has the potential to be excellent if Pryor becomes the in-the-box hammer New York expects. Consider it a substantial surprise if the Jets don't add a skill player with their next pick, No. 49 overall.

Johnny Manziel was on the board when the Jets were on the clock, leading to even more buzz than usual inside Radio City Music Hall. (Can you even imagine Rex and JFF together?) The crowd's reaction seemed to express a mixture of relief and regret. Bless their souls.

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