Calvin

Ridley

Ridley’s preseason results with his new team are promising. He generated two explosive pass plays on three total receptions and appears ready to handle No. 2 duties opposite incumbent DeAndre Hopkins, who was sidelined by a knee injury through the preseason.

Levis showed off his strong arm on a 33-yard connection with WR Calvin Ridley over the middle. Levis remains a volatile QB2 prospect entering the season but encouragingly closes the preseason with an 84.6 percent completion rate. He completed just 58.4 percent of passes as a 2023 rookie.

It’s quite the statement from Callahan, Cincinnati’s former offensive coordinator. A Chase-like role for Ridley in 2024 would mean more intermediate pass routes and more routes from the slot. It would represent a marked change over his role in the Jaguars offense, where he mostly ran deep sideline routes and saw low-percentage targets from Trevor Lawrence. Being used across the formation — not just the boundary — and seeing more middle of the field targets would dramatically change Ridley’s fantasy profile in 2024. It would be a welcomed change for the veteran wideouts, who this month said he wants to “run all the routes” in Tennessee’s offense.

“Let me run across the field. Across the field I’m a 4.1 guy,” Ridley said during his introductory press conference after the Titans signed him to a four-year deal worth $92 million. The implication, of course, is that his route tree was limited in Jacksonville. He spent most of 2023 as a boundary receiver seeing low-percentage sideline shots from Trevor Lawrence. More slot usage and more intermediate targets would make Ridley a far more reliable fantasy option in Tennessee. Patrick Daugherty, Denny Carter, and Kyle Dvorchak talked about Ridley in the Titans offense on Thursday’s Rotoworld Football Show.

The mega-deal includes $50 million guaranteed and places Ridley in the top 10 for highest AAV at the position. The signing would theoretically allow more slot snaps for DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks considering all three receivers possess the ability to work as “big slot” receivers over the middle of the field and also adds yet another pass-catching weapon for second-year quarterback Will Levis after the team signed running back Tony Pollard earlier in the week. General Manager Ran Carthon has wasted no time in his complete overhaul of the offense after taking over the title prior to the 2023 season. New head coach Brian Callahan and offensive coordinator Nick Holz have numerous new pieces to scheme touches to heading into their first season with the team.

“Ridley hasn’t yet made his decision, nor have the Jags or Pats been ruled out,” Howe reports. “All parties awaiting word.” There has been random Twitter chatter that the cap-rich Titans could be entering the mix, but there have been zero official reports to that effect. The official start of the new league year came and out without anything substantive. Ridley’s gridlock at the top of the market is holding up the rest of the receiver board.

The Jaguars have already spent a sizable chunk of change on Gabe Davis but may not be done yet. The Patriots have the money to outbid Jacksonville if they want to, but money doesn’t appear to be the only factor for Ridley. Going to New England would likely pair him with a rookie quarterback on a low-volume offense. Even if they can give him more money, he may prefer to immediately contend for a playoff berth on a better offense at the cost of a few million dollars. If the Jags bring back Ridley, they will likely cut Zay Jones for extra cap space. Jones would also be redundant as the team’s fourth receiver behind Ridley, Davis, and Christian Kirk.

Fowler also mentioned the Panthers and Titans as teams who could be in the market for wide receiver talent. Ridley topped 1,000 yards and scored eight times in his first season with the Jags. Trevor Lawrence has also said he wants his team to bring Ridley back. Jacksonville would undoubtedly be the best landing spot for Ridley’s fantasy value, though the Patriots may be desperate enough to out-bid the Jags. A love volume, likely inefficient passing attack in New England would send Ridley tumbling down the wide receiver rankings for 2024.

Lawrence praised Ridley’s 2023 performance after sitting out for two seasons. “He still has so much more room — we both do — for growth,” Lawrence said, adding Ridley last year was on the verge of having a “crazy, historic” season for the Jags. “We have a great thing going.” Ridley in 2023 had the ninth most air yards in the league and the 27th most receiving yards, mostly operating as a boundary vertical threat, with several almost-touchdown connections with Lawrence. Perhaps another offseason with the organization will lead to a more efficient campaign as Ridley heads into his age-29 season.

Shipley added the interest should be mutual. Ridley, coming off an up-and-down season in Jacksonville, has “plenty of reasons to ... want to return,” Shipley said. Ridley had 910 yards and seven touchdowns on 70 receptions in his first year with the Jaguars following a two-year hiatus from the NFL. He’s an unrestricted free agent entering his age-30 season, and should hold some appeal as a No. 2 wideout option for other teams. Ridley in 2023 had the ninth most air yards in the league and the 27th most receiving yards, mostly operating as a boundary vertical threat. Unless that role changes in 2024, he’ll likely be a frustrating fantasy producer.