Bills Linked to Calvin Ridley as ‘Key' Free Agent Move; Better Than Gabe Davis?

Calvin Ridley shook off controversy to put up solid numbers for the Jacksonville Jaguars and could attract attention from the Buffalo Bills on the free agency front.

The talented Mr. Ridley could find himself targeted by the Buffalo Bills this offseason.

Listing a "key" free agency move for the Bills and their 31 rivals, ESPN's Aaron Schatz lobbies for Western New York to upgrade its receiving game. While Tee Higgins was taken off the market with Cincinnati's franchise tag, Schatz encourages the Bills to turn to current Jacksonville Jaguar Calvin Ridley, who shook off controversy to post a productive campaign in Duval County, his contributions backed by advanced statistics.

"The best way for the Bills to upgrade is to get the best receiver they can to play next to Stefon Diggs and Khalil Shakir next season," Schatz reasons. "Somebody more consistent than Gabe Davis would be a huge help."

Kirby Lee, USA TODAY SPORTS

"Ridley led the Jaguars in total receiving value (DYAR) upon his return to the NFL last season after missing 2022 with a suspension. He put up 1,016 yards and snagged eight touchdown passes."

Ridley, 29, has lived up to his first-round billing since arriving as the Atlanta Falcons' first-round pick in 2018. The Alabama alum was suspended for the entire 2022 season due to violations of the NFL's gambling policies but wound up leading the Jaguars in yardage and touchdowns. 

Jacksonville wants to retain Ridley but its relatively meager cap space might force them to make a few cuts if they want to retain both his services and those of defensive franchise face Josh Allen (no, not that one). If Ridley were to hit the market, he'd immediately be targeted by contenders searching for a missing piece in the big play department.

Goodbye Gabe Davis? Bills WR Says 'Thanks for The Memories'

Some in Buffalo have already resigned themselves to the idea of Davis leaving. Ridley, even with his checkered past, would be an undeniable upgrade in the receiving department but Buffalo might have to worry about its own financial picture (currently over $41 million over, per Over the Cap) before it starts to woo stars from abroad.