Draft analysts unanimously view Calvin Ridley as a first-round pick in the upcoming draft despite being perceived as a non-typical No. 1 NFL wide receiver. At 6-foot-1, Ridley does not boast the size of former Alabama receiver Julio Jones, nor does he enter with record-breaking career statistics like Amari Cooper.
That shouldn’t make too big of a difference, however, because proven receivers are always a hot commodity in the draft. Ridley is viewed by some as the best available prospect at that position.
“He’s been hamstrung sometimes by the quarterback play at Alabama,” ESPN analyst Greg Cosell said in a teleconference on Monday. “Otherwise, if he went to play in a D1 offense that has a top throwing quarterback, his numbers could be through the roof like some of these other wide receivers.”
Ridley was the top receiver recruit out of high school in 2014, and he broke Alabama’s freshman record for receiving yards with 1,045 in his first season. The junior led Alabama in receptions all three of his collegiate seasons.
Mock drafts have Ridley going as high as No. 15 to the Arizona Cardinals, and as low as No. 28 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In a teleconference on Wednesday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said he would take Ridley over the three wide receivers, Corey Davis, Mike Williams and John Ross, taken in the top nine of the draft last year.
Combine Results
- 4.43 40-yard dash
- 15 reps on the bench press (225 pounds)
- 31-inch vertical leap
- 4.41 20-yard shuttle
Mock Drafts
- NFL.com Charley Casserly: Round 1 – No. 15 to the Arizona Cardinals
- CBS Tom Fornelli: Round 1 – No. 16 to the Baltimore Ravens
- ESPN Todd McShay: Round 1 – No. 24 to the Carolina Panthers
- ESPN Mel Kiper: Round 1 – No. 28 to the Pittsburgh Steelers
College statistics
