JETS BRING BACK 'BACKER DAVIS FROM BROWNS, MOVE PRYOR
The Cleveland Browns acquired safety Calvin Pryor from the New York Jets for inside linebacker Demario Davis.
What does it give the Cleveland Browns
Pryor was the 18th pick overall in the first round of 2014's draft, so perhaps Cleveland brass believes it's getting a steal. Although things might indeed pan out that way, the Browns will miss Davis--a gritty, athletic, productive, mature defensive leader who started all but one game last season. Moreover, it's now unclear who will replace Davis in the middle of the Cleveland linebacker corps. In the secondary, Pryor should now be a favorite to line up alongside exciting rookie Jabrill Peppers as a starting safety.
What does it give the New York Jets
The Jets added safeties with their first two draft picks this year (Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, respectively) so the underperforming Pryor--a former first-round pick himself--became odd man out. This move makes less sense for the Jets in terms of Davis, however (even though he's a quality player who's returning to the team that drafted him). Davis plays inside linebacker and the Jets already have two starters there in Darron Lee and David Harris; so expect Davis--who can produce stellar numbers--to push the aging Harris (and possibly replace him down the road).
Fantasy impact
Fantasy-wise, defensive players are only valuable in fantasy leagues that reward individual defensive stats; and in those leagues, neither Davis nor Pryor looks likely to be an early pick. That said, Davis is a productive tackler, so is worth keeping on your watch list (even though this deal looks likely to cut into his production). Pryor shouldn't be considered for fantasy until he starts living up to his excellent talent level.
