The Patriots need to bolster their offense and Bill Belichick isn’t good at drafting receivers.
So why not trade for Calvin Ridley?
The dynamic wideout sat out most of last season due to mental health reasons and could be looking for a fresh start elsewhere. Falcons owner Arthur Blank recently acknowledged the possibility.
Though the Patriots finished sixth in points scored, their offense lacks explosion. Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers were their top receivers last season, with Hunter Henry adding nine touchdowns. Mac Jones would certainly benefit from a bonafide No. 1 wideout.
Ridley isn’t a sure bet, which is probably why the Falcons would be amenable to trading him. In addition to sitting out 11 games last season, he carries an $11.1 million cap hit, and will be a free agent in 2023.
But there’s no doubting his skill level. The 27-year-old caught 90 passes for 1,347 yards in his last full season.
Ridley is also a preferable option to free agent wideouts Davante Adams and Chris Godwin. Adams is reportedly looking to be the highest-paid receiver in the league, and Godwin is coming off an ACL injury.
JuJu Smith-Schuster is a buy-low option. The TikTok sensation caught 15 passes in five games last season.
Ridley would probably be far more impactful.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell floated an enticing Ridley proposal in his latest column, suggesting Chase Winovich and a second-round pick would be enough to get something done. That reasonable price would make Ridley a lower-risk acquisition, despite his high cap number.
For what it’s worth, Bovada gives New England the best odds to land Ridley, provided he doesn’t return to Atlanta.
Now, If the Falcons intend to move Ridley, several teams would likely be interested. That means the price could increase from Barnwell’s starting point. So the Patriots may have to add another player. Who would say “no” to this offer?
Patriots get: Calvin Ridley
Falcons get: N’Keal Harry, Chase Winovich, 2022 second-round pick
It’s hard to imagine the Falcons dealing Ridley without getting a 2022 pick in return. Winovich is a prime candidate for a change of scenery as well, given his limited usage. N’Keal Harry is, too, and his agent asked for a trade last summer.
And the best part is, we wouldn’t have to see him play again! Who would say “no” to that, even without Ridley coming back?