BY NICK ST. DENIS
Since the New York Jets selected Mark Sanchez No. 5 overall in the 2009 draft, they've taken five defensive players in the first round of the last four drafts.
Make it six in the last five. Rex Ryan, everybody.
With the premier wide receivers off the board, along with the lone elite tight end, it became more and more obvious Gang Green would be leaning to the defensive side of the ball as the No. 18 overall pick approached. And that's just how it went.
New York wound up taking the big-hitting safety Calvin Pryor out of Lousville. Ryan is undoubtedly licking his chops, and apparently, so is general manager John Idzik.
"He fits us, he fits our profile," Idzik said Thursday night, via Kristian Dyer. "He's a physical player on the field. He has range, he makes plays, creates turnovers, plays like a Jet."
Pryor is an imposing presence in the center field. His biggest knock? Being too aggressive, which is a point of concern in the flag-happy NFL, though the Jets' in-your-face defensive scheme is as good as any for a safety of Pryor's mold.
"This young man is an enforcer," Ryan said.
As a junior, Pryor tallied 69 tackles (5.5 for losses), three interceptions and two interceptions last year en route to a 2013 All-American Athletic Conference First Team nod.
Follow Nick @NickStDenis
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
