This season, the Jaguars have a loaded offense and Trevor Lawrence does a great job of getting everyone involved. During TNF vs. the Saints, WR Calvin Ridley had zero catches in the first half and only one catch for the entire game. The 28-year-old only had four targets in Week 7 vs. New Orleans.
Ridley was traded to the Jaguars and many anticipated him being the WR1. However, that has not been the case through their first seven games of the 2023 season. Besides two games with 100+ receiving yards, he’s had 40 or fewer receiving yards in the other five. There is simply too much talent on the Jags’ offense for Ridley to be getting the WR1 targets he was used to in Atlanta.
How can the Jaguars try and get Calvin Ridley more involved?
The only thing about the Jaguars offense is let’s throw the football to Calvin Ridley in the second half.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 20, 2023
With the Atlanta Falcons in 2020, Calvin Ridley was a true WR1. He had 90 catches for 1,374 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. That is by far the most productive season that Ridley’s had in the NFL. Many anticipated him having a similar role for the Jaguars in 2023, but it hasn’t played out that way. He has three or fewer catches in four of his seven games played.
Leading the team in receiving yards (474) this season is WR Christian Kirk. Without Ridley in 2022, Kirk had his most productive season in the NFL. He had 84 catches for 1,108 and eight touchdowns. Kirk has built a connection with Trevor Lawrence and he’s been his favorite target in 2023. Additionally, his 39 catches are the second-most after TE Evan Engram who has 41.
Doug Pederson saw Calvin Ridley’s route chart after Week 1 and said:
“Absolutely not. We are going to keep him outside the numbers from now on and only run go routes along the sideline”
I mean truly moronic and terrible usage of your best skill player. Bring this back pic.twitter.com/mHPttiT9Mo
— Matt Sepede (@MattSped) October 20, 2023
What really matters is that the team is having a lot of success this season. Sure, Calvin Ridley would like to have a few more targets and catches this season. However, he’s probably thinking about the team and making his postseason debut. There’s still a lot of football left to be played this season. Jacksonville has set themselves up for success starting the season 5-2 through their first seven games.
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