We are almost at the beginning of the new NFL league year, and the options for wide receivers in free agency have decreased after Mike Evans signed with Tampa Bay and the Bengals’ Tee Higgins and the Colts’ Michael Pittman were retained through contracts.For a team in need of a top-notch receiver to solve their quarterback situation, the only available choice in the market is Calvin Ridley from the Jaguars.
It is uncertain whether Ridley meets the criteria of a top receiver, considering his performance in the past year, but the Patriots are aggressively pursuing him after failing to acquire Jerry Jeudy from Denver, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. He mentioned, “Expect the Patriots to make a strong effort to acquire receiver Calvin Ridley,” and noted the Jaguars’ interest in keeping Ridley, while the Patriots chose to wait until the free agency period before committing to a receiver, possibly due to having other options in mind. The Patriots Desperately Need Receiver Assistance The Patriots may benefit from waiting to see if a trade market for other receivers emerges, specifically for Higgins, and for the likes of
“in Philadelphia and Brandon Aiyukin San Francisco. However, this approach could result in missing out on Ridley, who is expected to stay with the Jaguars. In that scenario, the Patriots would end the pre-draft period without a new receiver.
This is unacceptable, given the current state of the Patriots’ receiver group.
The main experienced signings in recent years— A.J. Brown DeVante Parker Juju Smith-Schuster —have been significant disappointments. Reliable second option
Kendrick Bourne
is a free agent andDemario Douglas and displayed promising talent as a slot option during his rookie year, but is not a primary threat as an outside No. 1 receiver.Despite playing only eight games before sustaining an ACL injury, Bourne ranked second among the team’s receivers in catches (37) and yards (406), despite his limited time on the field. Calvin Ridley Overcame Suspension Related to Gambling Ridley comes with some negative history, but it seems to be mostly resolved. Although he recorded 1,374 yards for the Falcons in 2020, he took a break from the game in 2021 due to mental health issues and developed a gambling habit, resulting in a suspension for the entire 2022 season after being caught betting on NFL and NBA games, including those involving the Falcons. He has since acknowledged and taken responsibility for his gambling behavior, and has spoken out to help others avoid similar pitfalls. Any remaining concerns about his gambling problem appear to have diminished. Signing Ridley may be expensive, but the Patriots have substantial funds, with about $100 million available at the start of the offseason. Ridley’s projected salary is $17 million per year, as estimated by Spotrac. four-year, $70 million
deal, while Pro Football Focus values him at $18.5 million per year with a
three-year, $55.5 million
The Patriots are in need of a top wide receiver and Calvin Ridley may be the best one available in free agency. They are anticipated to “make a strong effort” to acquire him.
The time between those seasons is cause for some concern. Ridley took time away from the game in 2021 for mental health reasons, and while he was sitting out, he got hooked on placing bets on NFL and NBA games, including bets on the Falcons. He was caught and was suspended for all of the 2022 season, during which he was traded from Atlanta to Jacksonville.
Ridley later admitted and took ownership for the gambling and has spoken out to help other players avoid his own pitfalls. If there are still concerns about the gambling, they seem to be mostly diminished.
Ridley won’t come cheap, but the Patriots do have plenty of money, about $100 million entering the offseason. Spotrac projects Ridley getting $17 million per year, on a four-year, $70 million deal, while Pro Football Focus has him at $18.5 million per year with a three-year, $55.5 million deal.
