Week 11 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Calvin Ridley caught three-of-five targets for 37 yards in the Falcons’ Week 10 loss to the Browns. He also added a three-yard rush. Considering the Falcons fell behind big in the second half and needed to throw to get back into the game, as well as the fact Matt Ryan attempted 52 passes, it was highly disappointing that Ridley only saw five targets. In fact, through nine games, the rookie receiver is averaging only five targets per week. Of course, he also has seven touchdowns on the season, making him a weekly FLEX option. Ranked as our WR34 for Week 11, Ridley draws a tough matchup against the Cowboys, who rank third against fantasy receivers this season. Still, given how Atlanta is at home and Ryan has repeatedly targeted Ridley in the red zone this season, the rookie is an upside WR4.
Week 10 at Cleveland Browns
Calvin Ridley caught six-of-nine targets for 71 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons’ Week 9 win over the Redskins. He also committed a bad drop but there’s no reason to nitpick his performance; the rookie was excellent once again and has a knack for finding the end zone. Ranked as our WR28, Ridley will be a FLEX option this weekend when the Falcons take on a Browns team that has struggled defensively its past four games.
Week 9 at Washington Redskins
Calvin Ridley caught five-of-six targets for 43 yards in the Falcons’ Week 7 win over the Giants. The rookie dealt with an ankle injury suffered in a Week 6 win over the Bucs but didn’t look to be limited versus the Giants. Any lingering pain is likely gone after the Falcons had their bye last week. Ranked as our WR36 for Week 9, Ridley is a dart throw for Sunday when the Falcons visit the Redskins.
Week 7 vs. New York Giants
Calvin Ridley suffered an ankle injury in the Falcons’ Week 6 win over the Bucs and did not return to the game after suffering the ailment in the first half. He was held out of practice on Thursday so monitor his status ahead of the Falcons’ matchup with the Giants on Monday night. Worse comes to worse, Justin Hardy should be on your waiver wire if you’re desperate for a receiver come Monday. That said, Ridley should play and ranks as our WR31 for Week 7 so he does have FLEX appeal.
Week 6 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Calvin Ridley caught four-of-five targets for 38 yards in the Falcons’ Week 5 loss to the Steelers. On a day where Julio Jones was held catchless throughout the first three quarters, it was a rough day for Atlanta’s passing attack. It was also the first game without a score for the rookie Ridley, who leads the Falcons in red zone targets. The entire Atlanta offense should rebound on Sunday when the Falcons host the Bucs, who rank dead last versus fantasy wide receivers this season. Ranked as our WR27, Ridley will be a solid WR3 option. He’s scored all six of his touchdowns at home this year.
Week 5 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Rookie Calvin Ridley caught four-of-six targets for 54 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons’ Week 4 loss to the Bengals. Despite seeing only six targets, Ridley turned two of his catches into scores. While Julio Jones can’t buy a touchdown at the moment, Ridley already has six on the season. In fact, he’s the first rookie receiver in NFL history to have six touchdowns in his first four games. While the TD production isn’t sustainable, Ridley clearly has a role in this high-powered offense. And with the Falcons forced to out-score their own defense on a weekly basis, feel free to view Ridley as a weekly FLEX option. He ranks as our WR30 for Sunday when the Falcons visit the Steelers for a potential shootout in Pittsburgh.
Week 4 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Rookie Calvin Ridley broke out for 146 yards and three touchdowns on seven catches (eight targets) in the Falcons’ Week 3 loss to the Saints. He embarrassed cornerback P.J. Williams to the point New Orleans benched the defensive back in the second half. After catching zero passes in the Falcons’ Week 1 loss to the Eagles, Ridley now has four touchdowns the past two weeks. Ranked as our nO. 43 WR, Ridley will be a dart throw for Sunday when the Falcons host the Bengals but we won’t fault you for rolling the dice on the dynamic rookie. He has big-play potential in an offense that is rolling.
Week 3 vs. New Orleans Saints
Calvin Ridley caught 4-of-5 targets for 64 yards and his first professional touchdown in the Falcons’ Week 2 win over the Panthers. Steve Sarkisian left Ridley out of the game plan in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Eagles but more than made up for it by dialing up a few passes for the rookie in Week 2. Not yet a reliable fantasy option, Ridley could see his role expand in the upcoming weeks. At some point, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him surpass Mohamed Sanu for consistent looks in the passing game. For now, keep him out of your starting lineup until he proves that he’s a weekly contributor.
Fantasy Upside
Calvin Ridley started all three years at Alabama for the Crimson Tide before turning pro. He finished second in Alabama history in career receptions (224) and receiving touchdowns (19), and was third in receiving yards (2,781). He was regarded as one of the best route runners entering April's NFL draft and should carve out a role for himself immediately in Atlanta's dangerous offense. Thus far, his teammates and coaches have raved about his work ethic and competitiveness. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian knows Ridley from his brief time in Tuscaloosa and should be able to draw up plays for the rookie out of the slot and on the outside opposite Julio Jones.
Fantasy Downside
There are a lot of mouths to feed in Atlanta's offense and as of this writing, we don't know exactly how Ridley fits into Sarkisian's offense. Ridley will have a role, but the majority of the targets in the Falcons' passing game will be filtered to Jones. Then there's Mohamed Sanu, tight end Austin Hooper, and running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Unless there's an injury to Jones or Sanu, Ridley's potential in his rookie year will likely be capped.
2018 Bottom Line
Ridley is our No. 55 ranked WR heading into the 2018 season and he's projected to catch around 50 passes for 650 yards. That makes him a quality bench receiver that can be used as a streaming option throughout the year. The Falcons certainly didn't need a receiver but plunked him off the board in the first round when he surprisingly fell to them at pick No. 26. They're going to utilize his skill set but it's safer to view Ridley as a WR4/WR5 until we have a better understanding of how Sarkisian will employ him.
