The NFL's regular season is over, which for most teams, means it's time to start figuring out plans for the offseason.



NFL free agency is a huge part of the process, and along with the NFL Draft, it has everyone preparing for what should be a very active couple of months.

We've officially come up with our own contract projections for the NFL's top free agents that include context behind each player's 2023 season, the likelihood of a franchise tag, the projection itself, and the first-year cap hit for a team that's “all-in” and is needing to reduce that first-year hit in order to maximize their cap dollars.

So, without further ado, let's check out the projection for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley.

Calvin Ridley 2024 Contract Projection

In his last two full seasons, Ridley has amassed 269 targets, 166 catches, 2,490 yards and 17 touchdowns. Those totals would compare favorably with the two years preceding Terry McLaurin’s long-term extension with Washington following the 2021 season. McLaurin totaled 261 targets, 170 catches, 2,246 yards and nine touchdowns.

But there are some key differences between the two receivers that will most likely keep Ridley from hitting the $70 million total that McLaurin secured two years ago. There is the gambling suspension that kept Ridley out of football for the entirety of the 2022 NFL season. Whatever your thoughts on NFL players gambling and the league’s rules surrounding it, that suspension will have a downward push on his contract’s value.

Added to that off-the-field factor is the on-field product since Ridley resumed playing football in Jacksonville. His volume stats were respectable in 2023 (76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns). However, the Jags offense took several steps back from the year prior. While Ridley wasn’t the sole reason for that decline, he failed to separate himself as a clear alpha target in a room full of complimentary pieces. Tight end Evan Engram received more targets (140 to 132) and his yards per route run was a full half-yard shy of Christian Kirk’s 2.07.

The franchise tag looks to be beneficial for both Ridley and the Jaguars this season as it gives both parties one more year to evaluate his potential.

• Franchise Tag Likelihood: High
• 3 years, $60.0 million, $20.0 APY, $27.5M GTD
• Year One Cap Hit: $7.0 million

---

Be sure to check back in and around the site for more projections, as we will add more in the coming days and weeks.