The Case for Calvin Ridley -- WR Alabama

[tgmxd]

For one year...

If he was that athletic and productive for more than 1 year than he wouldn't have even been available at 7, he'd be Julio Jones.

Pace rolled the dice on him and got burned. It was definitely a gamble, but he didn't lose it because White as less polished than Cooper.

He lost it because White's body fell apart. With no indication of such leading into the draft.

Its disingenuous to draw any long term conclusions based on whether to draft guys who are raw athletes vs polished because there have been just as many failures and successes on both sides.

It's fair to argue the value of drafting a receiver top 10 in general but most of the truly game breaking talents go that high

 

[baredown]

If he was that athletic and productive for more than 1 year than he wouldn't have even been available at 7

Pace rolled the dice on him and got burned. It was definitely a gamble, but he didn't lose it because White as less polished than Cooper.

He lost it because White's body fell apart. With no indication of such leading into the draft.

Its disingenuous to draw any long term conclusions based on whether to draft guys who are raw athletes vs polished because there have been just as many failures and successes on both sides.

It's fair to argue the value of drafting a receiver top 10 in general but most of the truly game breaking talents go that high

Nice summation. One quibble. I think its a little unfair to say Pace rolled the dice and got burned with White. I'm sure Pace analyzed the hell out of White, Floyd, & Trubisky before concluding that the potential reward justified the risk in drafting them. He had to accept that risk as part of the deal. I doubt he sees White as a case of being burned. Instead, it was just a risk that didn't pan out. You have to expect that is going to happen sometimes when you're routinely accepting those types of risk. Put another way, White's failure shouldn't cause Pace to change his drafting philosophy of going for the uber athlete types at the top of the draft...

 

[Hammer]

Ridley WILL NOT BE 24 WHEN THE SEASON STARTS.

He will be 24 in week 16. The last practice day before the 15th game to be exact. Stop with that narrative.

Ju-Ju Smith Schuster was 20 at the start of this current season, think about that, and how much value you're losing by drafting 3-4 years older prospect with similar need for develoment, especially if you're taking him at #8, for me that's a big no-no.

Now, if we trade down to #15-25 range, then Ridley becomes an option, but in Top 10 I want surefire Day 1 starter who can have immediate impact (Ridley just ain't that blue chip WR prospect, you know, Calvin Johnson type).

 

[rawdawg]

Ju-Ju Smith Schuster was 20 at the start of this current season, think about that, and how much value you're losing by drafting 3-4 years older prospect with similar need for develoment, especially if you're taking him at #8, for me that's a big no-no.

Now, if we trade down to #15-25 range, then Ridley becomes an option, but in Top 10 I want surefire Day 1 starter who can have immediate impact (Ridley just ain't that blue chip WR prospect, you know, Calvin Johnson type).

You have a point. Imagine how much more value the Rams would have had if they drafted 21 year old Timmy Jernigan instead of 23 year old Aaron Donald.

And I didn't say anything about Ridley at 8 or not.

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[Luke]

Mitch was 23 at the beginning of the season, whats the biggie? As far as Ridley being worth 8, all we have to do is look back at last years draft where Davis went 5, Williams 7 and Ross 9.

 

[baredown]

You have a point. Imagine how much more value the Rams would have had if they drafted 21 year old Timmy Jernigan instead of 23 year old Aaron Donald.

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C'mon, man. To quote Kirk Lazerus: Never go full Special person...

Donald was a top ten rated guy that slipped down to 13. Jernigan was a 2nd round guy who went in the second round. Even Simple Jack wouldn't be debating between Donald & Jernigan.

 

[Wild_x_Card]

Mitch was 23 at the beginning of the season, whats the biggie? As far as Ridley being worth 8, all we have to do is look back at last years draft where Davis went 5, Williams 7 and Ross 9.

I'll tell you exactly what the biggie is. Fans put wayyy too much stock into age of draft prospects when it's proven year in and out it doesn't much matter the NFL GMs.

As is evident by "older" players still getting draft high.

The argument is nothing more than fairy dust.

 

[Bearly]

What you're saying is that it's no biggie and just over criticized by those that don't matter. The kid will have his 1st 2 contracts fullfilled before you notice any significant drop off. It's silly unless the guy is at least 25.

 

[Wild_x_Card]

With the 9th pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the Chicago bears select, Leonard Floyd linebacker Georgia.

Who turned 24 years old the first month into his rookie season.....

 

[doctorbear]

Ju-Ju Smith Schuster was 20 at the start of this current season, think about that, and how much value you're losing by drafting 3-4 years older prospect with similar need for develoment, especially if you're taking him at #8, for me that's a big no-no.

Now, if we trade down to #15-25 range, then Ridley becomes an option, but in Top 10 I want surefire Day 1 starter who can have immediate impact (Ridley just ain't that blue chip WR prospect, you know, Calvin Johnson type).

I would love to draft a 23 year old JJ Smith Schuster.

 

[rawdawg]

C'mon, man. To quote Kirk Lazerus: Never go full Special person...

Donald was a top ten rated guy that slipped down to 13. Jernigan was a 2nd round guy who went in the second round. Even Simple Jack wouldn't be debating between Donald & Jernigan.

Yeah not true. Donald was rated 11-15 by Mayock, Miller and CBS sports. He went right where expected. Jernigan top 25 on all 3 boards. He fell in the draft.

And only a piece of crap calls people "retards". Grow up.

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[oober]

I'll say it again. Allan Lazard will have a better NFL career. 6'5 great hands and body control and can make the tough catches. Don't needed to be a burner to move the sticks.

 

[Myk]

With the 9th pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the Chicago bears select, Leonard Floyd linebacker Georgia.

Who turned 24 years old the first month into his rookie season.....

That's it, Christmas is ruined!

 

[msadows]

I dont really even see him being 23 as that big of a negative. Hes the most polished and nfl ready WR in the class. He will be ready to make an instant impact the moment he steps onto the field because hes already capable of running every route fluid. The reason rookie wideouts struggle is an inability to learn the playbook and run precise routes that create seperation. Hes the best route runner in the class and can play every WR position. Hes polished.

Will he be julio jones? Prob not. But heres one analysts opinion of him:

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks did just that this week, comparing Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley to former Indianapolis Colts standout Reggie Wayne.

If I had to compare Ridley to a high-level NFL receiver, I would compare him to former NFL great Reggie Wayne based on his size and playing style. Ridley is so smooth and effortless in his actions that he reminds me of the six-time Pro Bowl receiver during his time with the Indianapolis Colts. While I’m reluctant to put that kind of expectation on Ridley’s game or potential career, I firmly believe he is a natural plug-and-play receiver capable of making his mark immediately as a pro.


Hes a sure thing, high floor, capable of an immediate impact. That's exactly what we need for our rookie QB, which is why you shouldn't be shocked if hes the pick day one.

 

[Luke]

Yeah not true. Donald was rated 11-15 by Mayock, Miller and CBS sports. He went right where expected. Jernigan top 25 on all 3 boards. He fell in the draft.

And only a piece of crap calls people "retards". Grow up.

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yep, Mayock had him 12, just ahead of Fuller.

12. Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
13. Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

As far as WR ranks and who isn't worth a top 10 selection, Mayock had Williams 11, Ross 14 and Davis 28.

 

[Myk]

Funny people thought Rams used a 2nd rounder to trade for Watkins and planned to let him go after a year and here people are quibbling about a few years that won't be seen until the end of the career if even then if that career is ended early because of injury, disease or the player wants to leave.

It doesn't matter one bit what Alshon's age was when we drafted him.

Nobody would seriously be thinking of passing over a great player because they're 22, 23, or even 25 at the draft. 38, sure.

 

[Da Coach]

Lol at calling any draft pick a sure thing

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[msadows]

Lol at calling any draft pick a sure thing

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im not saying hes a sure elite talent like barkley will be for example, but im pretty confident he will at least be a solid WR. His floor is very high. His ceiling however is prob not the highest in this draft, maybe not even top 3, which makes people not like him with a top 10 pick, and thats very understandable.

 

[TL1961]

Ridley in Round 2 = Good pick.

Ridley in Late Round 1 after a trade down = Not bad.

Ridley at #8? No, thanks.

Not at all saying he won't be a good WR. But at #8 I would pass to focus on other needs. Don't overpay draft-wise due to need. If you overpay in $ in FA, it doesn't hurt you. But you can't draft this guy at #8.

 

[PolarBear]

One thing in the previous drafts that Pace has shown is that he will prioritise freak physical talent - Kevin White, Leonard Floyd and even Trubisky somewhat by QB standards.

Ridley is a good but not great athlete with a smaller frame. Doesn't fit the bill.