As we inch toward the new season, the ever-changing NFL landscape has player fantasy values constantly on the move. Whether you’re used to the dynasty platform or are still learning the rules, let’s dive into the latest dynasty fantasy football value of wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
Calvin Ridley’s Dynasty Outlook and Value
Dynasty fantasy football wasn’t nearly as big in the mid-2010s as it is now. Nevertheless, I imagine trying to figure out how to value Josh Gordon was a nightmare for managers. It’s certainly not a one-to-one comparison to Ridley, but it’s closer than you think.
Ridley was already an incredibly old rookie. Before playing an NFL snap, he was already 24 years old. After a solid rookie showing, Ridley broke out as a sophomore, averaging 15 fantasy points per game. In his third season, in 2020, he became a mid-WR1, averaging 18.8 ppg.
It is now the year 2023. By the time the season starts, we will have not seen Ridley perform at a high level in nearly three years. When we last saw him, Ridley was a middling WR2 over five games before quitting football to focus on his mental health. Then, before the 2021 season even began, Ridley was suspended for the season due to gambling on the NFL.
The Atlanta Falcons clearly moved on from Ridley when they drafted Drake London in the first round last year. So, Atlanta traded Ridley to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the middle of the season.
We know Ridley has the talent to be the Jaguars’ WR1. Tethered to Trevor Lawrence, Ridley’s ceiling remains as a top-five fantasy receiver, yet he hasn’t played meaningful football in over two years.
Calvin Ridley’s Fantasy Ranking
Despite still being on his rookie deal, Ridley is already 28 years old. I’m sure dynasty managers who traded for Ridley after his suspension are salivating at the prospect of him catching passes from Lawrence. But there’s a ton of risk here.
If Ridley doesn’t pan out, Jacksonville could just not extend him. Fantasy managers need to acknowledge that “out of the league in 2023” is within Ridley’s range of outcomes. It’s certainly not likely, but in addition to there being no real precedent for a receiver this good missing this much time, there’s also the matter of us having no idea what Ridley’s mental state is.
Does he still want to play football?
Ridley is the ultimate risk/reward proposition. I feel the two most likely outcomes are he returns to being a top-12 fantasy WR or he bounces out of the league in less than two years. I struggle to envision him returning and merely being “okay.” That makes Ridley an incredibly tough player to evaluate.
Regardless of where you fall on the Ridley debate, it’s acceptable. If you have him or are looking to acquire him, the most important thing is to understand the risks and decide if that’s something you can tolerate. If so, take the shot on an undervalued WR1.
Our dynasty Superflex rankings reflect my feelings on Ridley. We currently have him at WR39 (No. 102 overall). As much as I believe in chasing upside, I would steer clear of Ridley in dynasty leagues and let someone else roll the dice. I’d be willing to take a shot at the right price in dynasty startup drafts, but I imagine someone will always be more bullish on Ridley than I am.