The Jacksonville Jaguars jumped ahead of the market last year, trading for wide receiver Calvin Ridley while the former Atlanta Falcons offensive weapon was still suspended for the entire year because of gambling. Even though it was a smart move at the time and Ridley is an important piece of the offense this season, the terms of the trade make his future another consideration.

Terms of the deal

The Jaguars acquired Ridley at the deadline last year for conditional 2023 sixth-round and 2024 fourth-round picks. But both picks could be higher. The 2023 pick became a fifth-rounder when Ridley was reinstated by the NFL. Next year's pick becomes a third if Ridley reaches undisclosed playing time marks — which he will likely do —, and a second if the parties agree to an extension.

So the Jaguars management must decide not only if Ridley is worth the new contract, but also if the new deal with the receiver is worth dropping one round on day 2 during next year's draft. And, in terms of production, Ridley has had ups and downs this season.

Ridley has played two strong games, against the Indianapolis Colts in week 1 and versus the Buffalo Bills in week 5. In each of these games, he had at least seven receptions for 100 yards. In the other five Jaguars games, though, Ridley didn't surpass five receptions or 50 yards in any of them.

It's not the consistency a team would expect from their wide receiver one, and he may not be it. The coaching staff, though, still seems confident.

"He's somebody we feel needs to get the ball," Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor said. "Calvin's a great player. He has certain looks where teams are going to maybe more willing to play a shell more, more willing to cloud to his side one way or the other, more willing to bracket to his side. That's a case-by-case type deal."

Ridley himself is not overly concerned either. He thinks more about the collective results.

"It's hard sometimes, but I'm here to help the team get wins," Ridley stressed. "When the offense moves the ball, it feels good. When we win the game, it feels even better. I'm happy when we're winning games. It doesn't matter. Win the game is the most important part."

So far this season, Calvin Ridley is second on the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, behind Christian Kirk, and third in targets and receptions, also behind tight end Evan Engram.

But there's another factor. Calvin Ridley might not get a real wide receiver one money either. According to Spotrac's market value tool, Ridley is expected to get a four-year, $58.4 million contract — $14.5 million per season. That's less than Kirk got, and less than half of the top of the receiver market.

Maybe the market itself dictates something different. Maybe Ridley doesn't re-sign unless he makes more than Kirk.

Those are all considerations the Jaguars will have to make, and the residual effects of the trade with the Falcons will be another point. 

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