New York Jets: the possibility of trading Pryor in 2017

The New York Jets are possibly looking to make a move involving former first rounder Calvin Pryor. Is a trade realistic?

The New York Jets have made it known they have been trying to trade former Defensive Rookie of the Year Sheldon Richardson, but there is another player on the roster that the team could move before the start of the 2017 campaign.

Aug 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets strong safety Calvin Pryor (25) looks on before the preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

The front office made it clear what they thought of their former first round pick Calvin Pryor’s performance and development over his first two seasons by drafting safeties in the first two rounds of this year’s NFL Draft.

After an underwhelming performance his first two seasons, the Jets have declined to pick up the safety’s fifth year option. Calvin Pryor has let the team know how he feels about the situation been skipping OTAs.

The Jets could keep Pryor this season for depth or ultimately release him, but there could be a trading partner where the Jets could get a late round draft pick for Pryor. The Jacksonville Jaguars could be a great fit in moving Pryor for one key reason, John Idzik.

I’ll pause a moment because the very mention of that name is causing the Jets fans reading this a quick jolt of pain. The John Idzik era as general manager was a disaster in New York, but he could actually help the Jets by taking Pryor off their hands.

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Aug 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars salary cap consultant John Idzik (left) talks with Jacksonville Jaguars punter Ryan Quigley (4) before a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Idzik was the general manager of the Jets during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Currently, Idzik is the Specialist to the General Manager in Jacksonville and while the Jaguars already have a pair of starting safeties, they could still bring Pryor into the fold.

Let’s not forget that John Idzik thought highly of Pryor by drafting him in the first round. Idzik believed there was talent there and with a low asking price, Pryor could be a valuable strong safety in the Jaguars’ defense.

This connection, and maybe even an underlying drive to prove to NFL people that he has an eye for talent, Idzik could bring in Pryor for a late round pick. I think the Jets would take a fifth or sixth round pick back for Pryor. Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles didn’t draft him and the team has made it known they are looking to stockpile picks in the rebuilding effort.

It’s a win win for both teams. Jacksonville gets depth at safety and a player who could benefit from a change of scenery, while New York gets a late round draft pick and moves on from a player that the organization is not sold on.

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