Jaguars taking chance on WR Calvin Ridley could be major

The Jacksonville Jaguars might’ve snagged a true No. 1 receiver at the trade deadline. 

With the team trading a couple of conditional draft picks to the Atlanta Falcons for suspended wideout Calvin Ridley, the Jags made a sizeable investment into the future of the team.

While quarterback Trevor Lawrence hasn’t at all been a disaster, he’s not quite been able to live up so far to the ballyhooed status with which he entered the league.

There’s a lot to that. But if he gets Ridley as his top wideout in 2023, that should boost the QB’s fortunes tremendously. 

Though, the catch with Ridley is twofold. First, he’s on the NFL’s bad side and suspended indefinitely for engaging in NFL sports betting during the season. It’s the no-no of no-nos. Until the league reinstates him, he can’t play football. 

If Jacksonville gets him back for next season, they’ll also have to factor in that he’s not played a full schedule since 2020. He left the Falcons toward the middle of the 2021 campaign to work on his mental health, but the suspension for 2022 leaves him without much recent on-field experience. 

When healthy and on, Ridley is as dangerous as any receiver in the NFL. He’s an elite route runner, posting up 3,342 yards and 28 touchdowns three-and-a-half seasons with the Falcons. If Ridley can get back to his old self after such a long absence, the Jaguars will immediately benefit. 

Even if it doesn’t work out, the Jags trading for Ridley is a flier worth taking. If it does work out, it could get Lawrence the reliable passing option he desperately needs to further his development.