The Case for Calvin Ridley -- WR Alabama

[D.Hester23]

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I've recently read a lot of threads hating on Calvin Ridley. I thought I'd player Devil's Advocate as I think Ridley is actually not as bad an idea as people think. Additionally, there is not a great selection of WRs in Free Agency, so addressing it first in the draft might not be a bad idea, so that free agent money can be spent on other positions that are stronger in free agency.

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Highlight video

[video=youtube;mpRs2guWR2c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpRs2guWR2c[/video]

From all scouting reports and that video we can see this:

• Blazing speed to make big plays both as a deep threat and through YAC
• Exceptional burst in and out of cuts, a very good route runner who gets seperation from DBs
• Ability to win jump balls and help QB by making contested catches

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He has all the makings to be a #1 WR, and is essentially a faster version of Amari Cooper. I know people are still scared from Kevin White, but White was a combine hero and was the second best wide-out in that draft. With the number 8 pick, the Bears have the opportunity to get the truly best WR in the draft and not settle for a raw, project WR.

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Pairing Ridley with a free agent signing like Albert Wilson could give the Bears an extremely fast WR group, just like the Chiefs. The era of needing big, tall WRs is over. The era of Cutler just throwing up jump balls is gone. We now have a QB and system in which speedy WRs who run good routes are to our advantage.

• C. Ridley - 4.34 (timed at Alabama's spring practice last year)
• C. Meredith -- 4.44
• A. Wilson -- 4.32
• K. Wright -- 4.46 (from his Pro Day)
• K. White -- 4.35

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Julio Jones: 179 (rec) -- 2653 (yards) -- 14.8 (avg) -- 15 (touchdowns)​

Amari Cooper: 228 -- 3463 -- 15.2 -- 31​

Calvin Ridley: 224 -- 2781 -- 12.4 -- 19​

For those that are curious, that is how Ridley compares to his predecessors at Bama. He is lightyears ahead of Jones in production and with a worse QB.

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DOWNSIDES:

The only major downside I see to Ridley is his age -- he will be 24 in December 2018. However, he would allow the Bears to spend the free agent money on a blue-chip player at other positions and given Bama's track record with producing WRs, I imagine he would catch on quick to the NFL.

Some will point out his production has fallen each year (although it was still very strong this season), but this past year he played with a bad QB situation. As evident in the National Championship, he shined when a better QB was put in the game.

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[Akuma2000]

If the Bears got Ridley that would be awesome, they'd have a deep threat WR with speed who can stretch the field......but with the Bears picking 8th in the draft he might be gone by time the Bears get on the clock.

 

[msadows]

If the Bears got Ridley that would be awesome, they'd have a deep threat WR with speed who can stretch the field......but with the Bears picking 8th in the draft he might be gone by time the Bears get on the clock.

Idk if he’d be gone. Highest I’ve seen him on any mock is 8 to us. There should be 3-4 qbs taken before we pick too based on how many teams need qbs picking in front of us. Barkley and Chubb will be gone too.

Then again I can’t really deny the power of a good combine. If Ridley runs a 4.3 40 it wouldn’t be shocking to see his stock soar.

A lot of people on here dislike him but I think he’s one of the more polished receiving prospects to come out in a while. Fast, good size, great route running, can run every single route in the route tree proficiently, can play every position, fantastic hands.

And Ridley won’t be 24 until the end of next season.

 

[msadows]

Also, Ridley wants to come here too. Him and Eddie Jackson are close. I’m sure he’d work hard and be a great part of the culture moving forward. Seems like a perfect player for Nagy, could be our tyreek Hill.

 

[napo55]

I'd like to see Courtland Sutton's 40 time at the combine. If it's below 4,50, he's the man.

 

[D.Hester23]

I'd like to see Courtland Sutton's 40 time at the combine. If it's below 4,50, he's the man.

He's too raw. Ridley is pro ready and right now the number 1 WR by almost all analysts. Sutton will only jump him due to combine numbers, not because of the tape. Remember another guy with good combine numbers -- Kevin white.

Go for the pro-ready player who's skill set fits our offense better, Ridley.

 

[D.Hester23]

Just look at the way he cuts. So quick in and out of breaks. Reminds me of Antonio Brown. Pure speed and agility to along with good ball skills to win contested catches. Really impressive all around WR.

 

[msadows]

Hes pretty much a faster amari cooper. No idea why people on here are so down on him. People point to his production but his QBs garbage, and hes always keyed in on defensively. He caught 63 balls this year, the next highest tally by a WR was 14. That shows just how much they threw the ball to the WR's, and how much they relied on him to be the bellcow.

 

[Sagbear]

He’ might be faster than Cooper but Cooper is over 210 pounds. Ridley is 180-185 how that frame holds up is a big question mark.

If he shows up to the combine at 190-200 ans still is able to run and cut then that will help with his draft stock.

Also Courtland Sutton can not be compared to kevin white. White had one year of dominance and freaky combine numbers. Sutton has been very productive his whole career but will probably run late 4.4- mid 4.5.

 

[Hammer]

People that compare Ridley to Cooper need to know that Ridley is actually the same age as Cooper, only Amari already has 3 years of pro experience under his belt.

My key complaints are that he's 2-3 years older than usual Draft prospects and therefore he may not have much upside left, when you combine that with his very limited college production, he really doesn't look like a Top 10 pick, so taking him at #8 would be a big reach.

Speed and other physical attributes will be measured in the Combine, if he doesn't really shine there, he may easily drop out of Top 20.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

I have a feeling Pace will trade out of the 8th pick to gain additional picks. A player like Ridley would be such a breath of fresh air from what the Bears have been fielding.

 

[BearbaFett]

i like ridley...i think he’ll be a very solid WR in the nfl

having said that, i just think there’s more positional value in edge rusher that high in the draft. we could very well find the WR talent we need in FA or past the 1st round...same cant be said for an OLB.

 

[CHICAGOMIDWAYMONSTERS]

I like Ridley but at the same time, I think he's too small. I rather have a big physical WR like Courtland Sutton instead.

 

[bamainatlanta]

A 4.34 at the program's spring/pro day is more like a 4.4+
Still fast but times at pro days are not to be trusted

 

[Speed]

I like Ridley, just not at #8. If they trade down clowned I wouldn't mind picking him.

 

[Myk]

I don't know what makes a WR NFL ready other than between the ears but I think he is as much as I've seen.
The year of Jefferieses I remember everyone hating on every other WR than the one they wanted, and few wanted Alshon. I don't play fanboy or antifanboy on college players. I look at what film I can.
Going by Ridley's HIGHLIGHTS he should be who he is as soon as he learns the routes.

People bringing age up are just looking for nits to pick because he did something wrong in some game they probably had money on. The draft is about years 1-4/5. It's not a sure thing at any position, certainly not for a career of greatness. If he plays up to his position for his rookie contract the draft pick was successful.

I still think a great pass protector would take us further than a great WR but we do need a 1st round WR that plays worthy of a 1st round at some point soon.

 

[mattb78]

I was super unimpressed with him in the NC game. Didn't display great hands. Seemed like the pressure got to him.

That is just one game though. And typically Alabama WR's have done well in the NFL which I didn't expect.

After David Terrell and Kevin White, I just can't draft a WR top 10. I know its superstitious. But some player types just don't work out for certain franchises.

Let's see what we can do in free agency first. Remember that Cohen was factor this year and Shaheen should be a factor next year. Add in Meredith and some free agents and we will be in better shape than we were this year.

 

[Da Coach]

Sorry but to me, he does way too much catching with his body and not his hands.

I would not draft this guy in the first, maybe not at all - he's fast but does not remind me of a top caliber NFL receiver whatsoever.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[satchice]

I liked Sutton better as a prospect, but I think Ridley fits Nagys' system much better. I would be happy to get Ridley. I would be ecstatic if we could some how get The CB from IOWA Josh Jackson in the first and then get Texas A&M WR Christian Kirk in the 2nd maybe even if we have to trade up for him.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

WR is a huge need.... but one of those positions you can find later in the draft. Pick a pro bowl defensive player at 8 or a bedrock Oline member and get your WR in round 2.