Top 5 candidates for NFL defensive rookie of the year

4. Jets S Calvin Pryor – Nicknamed “The Louisville Slugger” by Jets head coach Rex Ryan because he was a bone-crunching hitter on the field at the University of Louisville, Safety Calvin Pryor has the tools to be the next big-impact safety in the NFL. In his first taste of NFL action during a preseason game against the Bengals, Pryor led the team with 6 tackles, a fumble recovery and two passes defended – one of which was deflected at the line. Knowing Rex Ryan, one of the best defensive minds in football, he will use Pryor in a variety of ways: blitzing, covering, defending over the middle, blocking kicks, even trying to force big plays on special teams. The options are limitless for Pryor in his rookie season which is why he could very easily have the most impressive overall stat line of 2014.