May 21, 2019

Although active for 16 games his rookie season, Calvin Ridley started only five games and missed time in many others due to injuries. That just makes it even more impressive he was able to put up some of the stats he did in 2018. In a slightly limited season, he still managed to amass 64 receptions for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns. With Julio Jones still playing like one of the best wide receivers in the game, Matt Ryan hitting his peak in his mid-30’s and Devonta Freeman returning healthy to the lineup, the offensive support surrounding Ridley is second to none. This makes a second season rise to superstardom all the more likely for Ridley. Jones will continue to command a major part of the receiving targets and will likely have over 150 targets once again. But Ridley, who had 92 targets as a rookie should also make a large step forward in his targets share, as many of the targets once given to Mohamed Sanu in previous years should start to be funneled to him. The additional targets could easily see Ridley finish in the WR2 region. However, with an ADP in the fifth round as WR21, a WR2 is the absolute minimum fantasy owners will be hoping for. This price does seem to be a bit high for the second receiver in an offense, and potentially represents his ceiling and not his floor. If the price drops a little and he can be drafted in the sixth round instead of the fifth it would be less nerve inducing and far more palatable to fantasy owners. If he remains this high in drafts, then care should be taken as he will have to do everything right to have any chance to outperform his ADP at seasons end.--Dominick Petrillo - RotoBaller