Following weeks of trying to make a trade, the New York Jets were finally able to move on from former first-round pick safety Calvin Pryor. The Jets had tried to trade him since the 2017 NFL Draft, where they drafted two safeties in the first two rounds. The trade partner that the Jets found was the Cleveland Browns, who gave them back former linebacker Demario Davis in return. Outside of this years NFL Draft, this was the first trade in the NFL since April 24.
Calvin Pryor to the Browns
The New York Jets drafted Louisville's Calvin Pryor with the 18th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
In three years with the team, Pryor has played in 44 games and started 38 of them. For his career, he has 190 tackles, 12 defended passes, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 0.5 a sack. The 24-year-old Pryor irked some in the organization by skipping the first OTA practice last week and was demoted to third-string. By trading him to the Browns, the team only takes a $1.1 million charge in dead cap, as opposed to $2.7 million if they had released him.
Despite Pryor having regressed last season, the move is a good one for the Browns. They have plenty of cap room to take on Pryor, a young player who still has hope to fulfill his potential. Adding Pryor also gives the team depth that it lacked at the safety position.
Davis also became more expendable for the Browns after they gave fellow linebackers Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey contract extensions this offseason.
Demario Davis to the Jets
The New York Jets also drafted outside linebacker Demario Davis in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Arkansas State University. Davis spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Jets and was their starting outside linebacker his last three seasons with the team.
He then signed a 2-year, $8 million contract with the Cleveland Browns and started for them last season. For his career, Davis has played in 80 games and started 66 of them. He also had 437 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries and 1 interception.
The 28-year-old Davis is now reuniting with the Jets after only one season away in a move that could help the team's defensive and locker room.
In a best case scenario, Davis can join David Harris and Darron Lee as the Jets other starting linebacker and be a veteran locker room presence on a team that needs one. He could also be a solid linebacker to play third-down packages if he can't cut it as a starter. If he is not worth a backup spot on the team, the Jets can cut him without taking any cap hit.
