2018 NFL Draft: Top 5 Offensive Prospects
By Jon Dove
Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The only real knock I have on Ridley as a prospect is his age. He turn 24 years old during his rookie season which means he would be 29 years old at the end of his rookie contract. It’s not a major concern, but something that NFL teams will consider.
On the field, Ridley is a smooth athlete with the speed to stretch the field. He features quick-twitch ability which helps him reach his full speed in a hurry. This puts a lot of pressure on the defensive back as they must avoid being outpaced.
Ridley features a long frame with good arm length. He uses his size to his advantage when in contested situations. Ridley doesn’t have a thick build, but is aggressive and fights to high-point the football.
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His fluid movement skills and balance make him a sound route runner. Ridley knows how to disguise his routes and keep the defensive backs off guard. His time at Alabama really didn’t give him a chance to display his full potential.
The targets he received at Alabama might not have been as frequent but they typically came in pressure situations. Ridley knows what it means to compete for a Championship and go against top-level competition.
However, Alabama’s run heavy offense did force Ridley to be a contributor as a blocker. This is something that adds extra value to his game.