ESPN’s Louis Riddick Says Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley Is a ‘Route-Running Genius’

The NFL analyst foresees big things for the veteran wideout.

When it comes to evaluating talent in professional sports, recency always comes out on top. What have you done for me lately? That’s the question that often comes to the mind of organizations and fans alike.

What sometimes gets lost in translation is just how impactful a certain player was on the field when available. Insert new Jaguars wide receiver, Calvin Ridley. After a year away due to a gambling suspension, Ridley is ready to rock with his new club, but some are questioning whether he still has the chops to be a legit first option in a loaded Jaguars offense.

In an interview with 1010XL, NFL analyst Louis Riddick was quick to shoot down these concerns, reminding the masses just how premier of a talent Ridley is and can be in Jacksonville’s offense.

“What Calvin Ridley’s gonna do for Trevor Lawrence [Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence] and what Trevor’s gonna do for Calvin Ridley,” Riddick said. “Calvin’s [Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley] going to burst back onto the scene as being that guy who when he left, before he got left and was suspended, I thought was the best route runner in the NFL, period. He can run any route and absolutely break your ankles, tear your ACL. This guy is a route-running genius and he is going to do wonders with his outside catching game for Jacksonville.”

Louis Riddick 🤝 Jaguars fans
He seems to have bought into the hype too 😎. pic.twitter.com/mpLALtqHeq

— 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) July 10, 2023

In his last full season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2020, Ridley amassed 90 receptions for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns according to Pro Football Reference, establishing himself as the go-to guy in Atlanta’s high-octane offense.

Though the layoff in significant playing time brings its question about what Ridley could provide now, he is still only 28 years old and arguably playing with the best set of offensive skill players he has ever had so far in his career. Time will tell how that ends up faring but one thing is for sure, Jacksonville provides Ridley with the optimal surroundings for a bounce-back campaign.