Why Calvin Pryor Has Everything to Prove in New York Jets' Training Camp

The New York Jets are in a rare position. 

Although the team won just four games a year ago, it enters the season with a win-now mentality. Owner Woody Johnson wants to see a playoff berth for the first time since 2010, and the moves New York made this offseason prove that. 

The additions of big-name veterans Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie upgrade the team's prospects, but they also significantly raise expectations for this year. If Gang Green cannot at least compete for a postseason spot, it will go down as another disappointing season in Gotham. 

The added pressure doesn't just make new head coach Todd Bowles' job harder; it makes it much less likely for underperforming youngsters to remain in the starting lineup. 

Calvin Pryor, the team's first-round pick in 2014, is one of those underperforming youngsters. 

The Louisville product had a largely disappointing rookie season, as he struggled to adapt to the pace of the NFL game. He missed far too many open-field tackles, and he was a liability in coverage for much of the season (as seen in the video below). 

Granted, Pryor was playing somewhat out of position at free safety. Now that the Jets have Marcus Gilchrist to fill that hole, Pryor will move back to his natural spot at strong safety. This will allow him to play to his strengths, which include crowding the box and making plays close to the line of scrimmage. 

But the added talent around him could also hurt Pryor. He cannot afford to perform below expectations for the second consecutive season, as the Jets don't have the offense to make up for his defensive errors. 

If Pryor comes out in training camp and shows little to no improvement in his tackling and coverage skills, Todd Bowles may have no other choice but to bench him in favor of a better option. 

Pryor cannot afford to fall out of favor with the new regime, as he has seen firsthand how quickly a first-round selection can fall in a couple seasons.

Former No. 9 overall selection Dee Milliner has struggled with injuries and poor play in his first two years in the league, and he now finds himself on the outside looking in on the depth chart. Heck, Milliner might not even be a Jet come 2016.

Most signs do point to Pryor improving his game in his sophomore season. He will play alongside a superb supporting cast, line up in his usual position and have a full offseason in the NFL under his belt for the first time. However, the 23-year-old cannot afford to grow content with his position.

Fortunately, it seems the Florida native is motivated to up his game in 2015, per Steve Serby of the New York Post.

Pryor is still a young and talented player, and it is way too early to write him off. However, there may not be a player with more to prove when Gang Green heads to Cortland for training camp on July 30th. 

Well, except for Geno Smith.