Where will Calvin Ridley land in free agency? Potential landing spots for WR
After a suspension for gambling kept him off the field in 2022, wide receiver Calvin Ridley returned to the NFL in 2023 with a different franchise: the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Atlanta Falcons traded Ridley to Jacksonville midway through 2022 for a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2024 draft pick.
Ridley had the second-best season of his five-year career in 2023. He finished second on the Jaguars in targets (136) and catches (76) but led the team with 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Per Sports Info Solutions (SIS) data, Ridley's 2023 year was second only to his 2020 season in which he was named a second-team All-Pro. But he did tally eight drops - among the top 10 in the league - and an 86.5 receiver rating, the second-lowest of his career, in 2023.
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This week the Jaguars announced they're placing the franchise tag on pass rusher Josh Allen instead of Ridley. That may not actually reflect the Jaguars' interest in keeping their top wide receiver from 2023. If Jacksonville had signed Ridley to an extension before the start of the new league year, the Jaguars would've sent the 48th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to Atlanta, as per the conditions of their trade. If they wait until after the new league year to sign him, it's considered a free agency signing instead of an extension and the Jaguars would owe the 79th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
But Jacksonville will likely be one of many suitors for Ridley's services in 2024. Mike Evans signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Cincinnati Bengals placed the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, so Ridley becomes one of the top free agent wide receivers this offseason.
Here are five places Ridley could end up next season:
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New England Patriots
By any statistic you look at, the Patriots offense was tough to watch in 2023. Running back Ezekiel Elliott led the team in receptions with 51 and tight end Hunter Henry led the team in receiving touchdowns with six. A wide receiver group of Demario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, DeVante Parker, and JuJu Smith-Schuster wasn't scaring opposing defenses.
According to Over the Cap, New England has $80 million in effective cap space (cap space after signing at least 51 players and their projected 2024 draft class) this offseason. Spotrac calculates Ridley's value at a 4-year, $70.4 million contract at $17.5 per year. At that number, it'd be easy to fit Ridley in their 2024 payroll and he'd immediately become the team's most dynamic wide receiver since Brandin Cooks in 2017.
If the Patriots opt for quarterback or tackle early in the draft, signing Ridley could fill a major hole on their roster at a critical position.
Detroit Lions
Detroit sits fifth in the NFL in effective cap space at $46.1 million ahead of the 2024 season. Only the Houston Texans have more cap space among last season's playoff teams and the Lions don't have many high-price free agents to re-sign.
Amon-Ra St. Brown is an All-Pro receiver in the slot. Jameson Williams is a deep threat outside who could develop more next season. Adding a dynamic veteran receiver in Ridley to the mix could take some attention away from St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta and push the Lions' passing game up a notch.
After a heartbreaking loss in the NFC championship game, head coach Dan Campbell told the team "this may have been [their] only shot." Bringing Ridley in as a new wrinkle to the offense could improve Detroit's chances of getting back there again.
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Tennessee Titans
Two of Ridley's best games in 2023 came against AFC South foe Tennessee with 207 yards and three touchdowns combined. The Titans are third in effective cap space in 2024 with $69.7 million to spend on free agents.
New head coach Brian Callahan comes from Cincinnati where the Bengals put a premium on surrounding quarterback Joe Burrow with talented wideouts in Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase. Tennessee has plenty of holes on offense and just two top-100 selections in the 2024 NFL Draft. Second-year quarterback Will Levis could use all the help he can get in addition to DeAndre Hopkins from the wide receiver group. The franchise has seen what Ridley can do and he could help another young quarterback in Tennessee as he did in Jacksonville.
Chicago Bears
Arguably the most interesting team this offseason, Chicago holds two top-10 selections in the 2024 NFL Draft: No. 1 and No. 9. Draft experts almost unanimously predict they'll select a quarterback first overall but the decision at No. 9 isn't as clear. It may be too late to get one of the top wide receiver prospects and the franchise may opt to solidify the offensive line or defense instead.
The Bears have $44.4 million in effective cap space. Using some of that for Ridley would give a rookie quarterback two proven wide receivers (along with DJ Moore) and allow the Bears to instead use the No. 9 pick to secure a top offensive tackle, pass rusher, or cornerback.
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Jacksonville Jaguars
Of course, Jacksonville could opt to re-sign their trade acquisition from 2022 for a longer-term deal. It may be tough, though.
The Jaguars' highest-paid player in 2024 is currently wide receiver Christian Kirk at a $24.2 million cap hit. Zay Jones is one of the more expensive players as well with a $10.7 million cap hit this coming season. Ridley is older than both but would command a contract that could make the Jaguars' wide receiver room one of the most expensive in the league without the production to show for it.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Calvin Ridley landing spots: 5 potential teams as free agency looms
