Calvin Ridley’s big game improves Falcons’ trade compensation
The Atlanta Falcons’ final game of the 2023 season couldn’t have gone much worse. Sunday’s 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints was so ugly that team owner Arthur Blank fired head coach Arthur Smith when the clock struck midnight.
It wasn’t all bad for Atlanta on Sunday, though. Former Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley capped off his first season in Jacksonville with six catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. Ridley’s big performance in Week 18 helped Atlanta secure a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Calvin Ridley needed 60% snaps OR 75 catches OR 1,000 receiving yards to convert a 4th round pick back to Atlanta into a 3rd for the upcoming draft.
He met ALL thresholds.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) January 7, 2024
Ridley was traded to the Jaguars in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2024. That conditional selection was bumped up to a third-round pick due to Ridley hitting trade incentives.
The former Alabama star finished the season with 76 catches, 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. If Ridley gets an extension in Jacksonville, that third-round pick becomes a second-round pick.
NFL: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant (27) makes a tackle…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant (27) makes a tackle against New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (25) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (25) reacts…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (25) reacts to m aligns. First down against Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) scrambles out…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) scrambles out the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi looks…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi looks on against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) reacts…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) reacts to making first down catch against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Clark Phillips III (34) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) makes…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) makes a first down against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Clark Phillips III (34) and safety Richie Grant (27) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) hands off to…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) hands off to running back Bijan Robinson (7) against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) passes against the…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) hands off to…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) hands off to running back Bijan Robinson (7) against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) looks on…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) looks on against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after…
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after a touchdown in the first half at Caesars Superdome on January 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after…
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after a touchdown in the first half at Caesars Superdome on January 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints hands off…
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints hands off to Kendre Miller #25 of the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Caesars Superdome on January 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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Atlanta Falcons v New Orleans Saints
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Atlanta Falcons throws the ball…
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Atlanta Falcons throws the ball in the first half at Caesars Superdome on January 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: A.T. Perry #17 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after…
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: A.T. Perry #17 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after a touchdown reception in the first quarter at Caesars Superdome on January 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Atlanta Falcons looks to pass…
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Atlanta Falcons looks to pass in the first half at Caesars Superdome on January 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: James Hurst #74 of the New Orleans Saints recovers a…
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: James Hurst #74 of the New Orleans Saints recovers a fumble in the first quarter at Caesars Superdome on January 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Kendre Miller #25 of the New Orleans Saints runs the…
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Kendre Miller #25 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter at Caesars Superdome on January 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Paulson Adebo #29 of the New Orleans Saints looks on…
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Paulson Adebo #29 of the New Orleans Saints looks on in the tunnel before the game at Caesars Superdome on January 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Kendre Miller #25 of the New Orleans Saints runs the…
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Kendre Miller #25 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter at Caesars Superdome on January 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass…
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass in the first half at Caesars Superdome on January 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NFL: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the NFL football during warmups before the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons punter Bradley Pinion (13) during warmups against…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons punter Bradley Pinion (13) during warmups against New Orleans Saints the at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank during warmups against the…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank during warmups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank during warmups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) during warmups against…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) during warmups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during warmups…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during warmups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end John FitzPatrick (87) during warmups…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end John FitzPatrick (87) during warmups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant (27) and cornerback A.J.…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant (27) and cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) during warmups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Tre Flowers (33) during warmups against…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Tre Flowers (33) during warmups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant (27) during warmups against…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant (27) during warmups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) during warmups…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) during warmups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) during warmups…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) during warmups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the New Orleans Saints helmet during…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the New Orleans Saints helmet during warmups against the Atlanta Falcons at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Micah Abernathy (29) during warmups against…
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Micah Abernathy (29) during warmups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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