Calvin Ridley 2023 Outlook
Ridley hasn't played in an NFL game since Oct. 24, 2021 so he's a player to study closely in training camp. It could take a while to shake the cobwebs off despite Ridley being known for having a strong work ethic. There's a possibility his game has slipped due to all the inactivity after having mental issues in 2021 and serving a season-long gambling violation last season. On the other hand, he was away from the grind of football, and perhaps he's still just as fit but also feeling fresher after not taking a hard hit in so long. One thing he will like is having Trevor Lawrence throwing him the football. If Ridley is in his 2020 form (90-1,374-9), he could approach those numbers with Lawrence as his quarterback. Ridley topped 800 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons, when he also accumulated 26 scoring receptions. Ridley has 11 career 100-yard outings and has caught at least eight passes on 10 occasions. He even caught three touchdown passes against the Saints in 2018 in his third NFL game.
Calvin Ridley 2021 Outlook
As SportsTalkATL.com reminded readers, entering his third year, Ridley said he felt like he was already a 1,000-yard-caliber receiver and that people were sleeping on him. If that was the case, Ridley woke them all up in 2020 with an effort that moved him into the ranks of elite wide receivers. He finished tied for fifth in receiving yards (with Davante Adams) and scored nine times in just 15 games. He caught 62.9 percent of his 143 targets and led the league with eight 100-yard games in 2020 (the 28th-most in a single season). That brings his three-year totals up to 217 catches for 3,061 yards and 26 touchdowns. Now, with Julio Jones out of the picture after being traded to Tennessee the first week of June, it's clear the Falcons view Ridley as their future at the position. Playing with Matt Ryan in the creative, innovative scheme new head coach Arthur Smith brings from Tennessee, there's ample reason to expect Ridley's ascent to continue. Worth noting: Ridley didn't participate in practices this offseason as he rehabs from foot surgery. Ridley, though, told reporters in June he was "pretty sure" he will complete his rehab in time for the start of training camp in late July. "It was just minor," Ridley said.
