The wide receiver room in Cleveland was much improved in 2023 but there is still work to be done before the 2024 season. The team added Elijah Moore and Marquise Goodwin to help stretch the field vertically and due to injuries and inconsistent play things didn’t work out the way they planned.
The Browns have got to get more vertical in 2024 if they want to make a deep playoff run and signing Calvin Ridley could help solve these issues in free agency. Ridley has the elite-level speed the team needs and has lacked as a guy who runs in the low 4.4s. Ridley had his second 1,000-yard season this past year with the Jaguars after missing the previous season due to a suspension for gambling.
Just like in years past the Browns offense seemed to be in the redzone all the time but Ridley had an average depth of target of 13.9 yards last year. In other words Ridley attacks and wins deeper down the field as compared to other wide receivers and that’s exactly what the doctor ordered for Cleveland.
Ridley is one of the most explosive wide receivers off the line of scrimmage that can attack opposing defenses at every single level. He can win the lineup both in the slot and out wide though he does most of his damage on the outside.
Andrew Berry will have to work some magic as Ridley is expected to demand over $10 million in free agency. The team was reportedly interested in trading for Ridley before his suspension in Atlanta and there isn’t any reason why they shouldn’t still be. Pairing him with Amari Cooper and David Njoku could create one of the league’s best pass-catching groups.
#Jaguars Completed/ Intended Air Yards:
Calvin Ridley- 807/ 1923
Christian Kirk- 526/ 896
Zay Jones- 249/ 854
Evan Engram- 427/ 732
pic.twitter.com/4D8tO8GGUw— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) February 6, 2024
