Could the Addition of Calvin Ridley Outweigh the Jaguars' Offseason Losses?
The Jacksonville Jaguars' faithful have had quite a different first week of free agency than they are used to.
After over a decade of heavy spending each March -- with twice as many big-money failures as success stories -- the Jaguars have shifted gears as a franchise in 2023.
Not only have the Jaguars taken their foot off the gas pedal when it comes to free agency, but this year they have changed their course entirely. It is a new, fresh perspective toward spending, or a lack thereof for the Jaguars. And, naturally, it has some in the Jaguars' base nervous.
Those nerves have likely been rattled even further by the departure of two of the Jaguars' top three free agents in right tackle Jawaan Taylor and pass-rusher Arden Key, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans respectively.
As such, questions have begun to arise about whether the Jaguars' roster is actually improving in a year in which they appear to be positioned to go for it all ... or if the roster has a chance to take a step back from just a year ago.
While those questions are fair on the surface, though, there are more than a few reasons to believe it isn't true. Namely, the development of Trevor Lawrence in his second season in Doug Pederson's offense, along with the improvement of the offensive line and skill players around him who will also be entering their second seasons in Pederson's system.
But the most important counter to the notion that the "Jaguars are getting worse," argument has nothing to do with Lawrence or Pederson. Nor does it have anything to do with the hopeful developments of the 2022 draft class and No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker.
Instead, it has to do with a player the Jaguars didn't add this week. It has everything to do with Calvin Ridley, whose success in 2023 will help determine whether the Jaguars are a better version of last year's team or not.
Could the addition of Ridley, who the Jaguars traded for on Nov. 1, help offset the losses of Taylor and Key, two of the Jaguars most important players from a year ago? All of the evidence suggests he can.
The expectations in Jacksonville for Ridley are sky-high, even with the caveat that he hasn't played a full NFL season since 2020. Ridley has spent most of the last two seasons off the field; first walking away from the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 so he could focus on his mental health, and then secondly last year when he was suspended for an entire season due to gambling.
It makes sense for some to be nervous about placing a crown on Ridley before he steps on the field in Jacksonville. This is a wide receiver who has only played in five games since Week 1 of 2021, after all.
But Ridley isn't coming off some serious injury. He isn't an out-of-shape player who is far out of his prime. He is a legitimate top-tier receiver when he is at the top of his game, and all indications from those around him and inside Jacksonville are that he is ready to return to the top.
"Right now, I feel stronger than I’ve ever felt — mentally and physically. On the field, I’m flying. Believe me, I’m flying. That GPS band don't lie. On my daughter’s name, if I’m healthy? With Trevor Lawrence? I’m giving Jacksonville 1,400 yards a season, period," Ridley said in his letter on The Player's Tribune.
Taylor is a good right tackle and Key is an efficient pass-rusher ... but Ridley is different. Ridley has a chance to be a blue-chip player, something the Jaguars have lacked in spades over the last several years.
The Jaguars roster is made up of a lot of young players and solid veterans. There are very few "stars" on it. Ridley can be that star, though. He can be a game-changer who elevates the offense beyond its wildest imaginations. As good as Taylor and Key are, neither was doing that for the Jaguars.
So when considering which additions and subtractions the Jaguars have made this spring, do not forget that the biggest addition came in November in the form of Ridley.
The Jaguars have nine picks to replace Key and Taylor, along with several other players already on the roster. But it is Ridley and his expected impact that should truly replace the Jaguars' losses.
