2014 NFL Mock Draft: Calvin Pryor Chosen by the Chicago Bears

Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville

Height: 5'11

Weight: 207 lbs.

40-yd dash: 4.58

Bench reps: 18

Vertical: 34.5 in.

Broad: 116.0 in.

Class: Junior

College stats

2013: 75 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3 INTs, 4 PDs, 2 FFs

2012: 99 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 2 INTs, 5 PDs, 4 FFs

The 2013-14 NFL season was one Chicago fans would like to put behind them. They watched an explosive offense lead by Jay Cutler/Josh McCown, Matt Forte, and two dynamic receivers put loads of points on the scoreboard, while the defense often got torched by nearly every team they faced (Our beloved birds hung 54 on them). The Bears are a team that has the pieces on offense to win now, but a defense that is missing the Brian Urlacher, Charles Tillman, and Lance Briggs of old. Chicago said goodbye to several veterans this offseason, including Julius Peppers and Henry Melton, but reloaded with Lamarr Houston, Willie Young, Jeremiah Ratliff, and Jared Allen.

Early in free agency I would have had Aaron Donald slated for Chicago as a no-brainer, and he still may be the direction they choose to go. I think with their acquisitions on the defensive line this offseason they have put themselves in a position to upgrade their need at the safety spot, which is currently occupied by Danny McCray and Chris Conte.

Calvin Pryor is a safety with good height and top-end speed to match up with receivers, while possessing the aggressiveness and tackling ability to deliver big hits on opponents. He has special teams experience and big-play ability. With that being said, his aggressiveness could and probably will get him into a little bit of trouble at the next level. Shifty running backs and experienced quarterbacks could present an issue for Pryor with double moves and pump fakes.

Adding Calvin Pryor may be a slight reach at fourteen, but it would be one that would immediately help a defense that left open gaping holes against the run one season ago. Chicago would be getting a hard hitting safety that could bring some attitude back to the Bears defense, which was missing last season. The addition of Jared Allen will give some much needed improvement to the pass rush, which should help a young and aggressive Pryor in his rookie season.

Pryor's strengths are stopping the run and playing in the box, but he certainly has the physical attributes and skill to provide zone coverage and ball-hawk ability while flying around the field. With some good coaching and a few tweaks to technique, Pryor has the ability to become a dominant, hard hitting safety in the NFL. Learning how to properly deliver big hits without drawing penalties and fines will be a challenge for Pryor at the next level, but this should not stop the Bears from grabbing him in the first round.

2014 BGN Mock Draft Order

1 Houston Texans (Imp) - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville - [Explanation]
2 St. Louis Rams (starship 007) - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson - [Explanation]
3 Jacksonville Jaguars (sports00fan00) - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, SC - [Explanation]
4 Cleveland Browns (InHinkieWeTrust) - Johnny Manziel, QB, TAMU - [Explanation]
5 Oakland Raiders (SleepingDuck) - Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo - [Explanation]
6 Atlanta Falcons (jimmyrustler) - Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn - [Explanation]
7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (AnthroEagle) - Blake Bortles, QB, UCF - [Explanation]
8 Minnesota Vikings (pot) - Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA - [Explanation]
9 Buffalo Bills (wow4444) - Jake Matthews, OT, TAMU - [Explanation]
10 Detroit Lions (kamjam) - Mike Evans, WR, TAMU - [Explanation]
11 Tennessee Titans (NowWhat?) - Justin Gilbert, CB, OK State - [Explanation]
12 New York Giants (Anthony DiBona) - Eric Ebron, TE, UNC - [Explanation]
13 St. Louis Rams (ILL Eagle) - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama - [Explanation]
14 Chicago Bears (JerkyBoy) - Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville - [Explanation]
15 Pittsburgh Steelers (KJ Brophy) -
16 Dallas Cowboys (Patrick Wall) -
17 Baltimore Ravens (rohan915) -
18 New York Jets (del.champion) -
19 Miami Dolphins (HD) -
20 Arizona Cardinals (NCeagle) -
21 Green Bay Packers (ablesser88) -
22 Philadelphia Eagles (jhn) -
23 Kansas City Chiefs (PeaceVT) -
24 Cincinnati Bengals (deg0ey) -
25 San Diego Chargers (StoneColeKiller58) -
26 Cleveland Browns (P_Roach17) -
27 New Orleans Saints (bebin) -
28 Carolina Panthers (MikeKafka) -
29 New England Patriots (Amateur_Hour) -
30 San Francisco 49ers (AndyMcNabb) -
31 Denver Broncos (dceagles) -
32 Seattle Seahawks (eagles0132) -