No Calvin Ridley? Patriots' Plan B For No. 1 Receiver

The New England Patriots could turn to the trading block if Calvin Ridley spurns them in free agency to re-sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While the New England Patriots are one of two teams in the running to sign free-agent receiver Calvin Ridley, they aren't putting all their proverbial eggs in one basket. 

With the increasing possibility of the Patriots' "big swing" at Ridley turning into a swing and miss, they may already have backup plans, according to The Athletic's Chad Graff.

"If the Patriots miss out on Calvin Ridley, I expect them to turn to the trade market, checking in on players like Tee Higgins, Keenan Allen, and Brandon Aiyuk," Graff writes.

Clutchpoints

Considering Ridley is regarded as the top receiver left in free agency, it makes sense that the Patriots are holding out hope until the end that he signs with them. But if things don't go as planned, they could find suitable alternatives in Higgins, Allen, and Aiyuk. 

Higgins seems like the most likely possibility right now, considering he handed in a trade request to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday after being unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension this offseason, which has resulted in him being franchise-tagged. Higgins has long been linked with the Patriots, dating back to last offseason due to his then-looming contract expiration. 

Then there is Aiyuk, who, despite being the San Francisco 49ers' leading receiver last season with 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, could be heading into a similar situation as Higgins.

The former first-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Aiyuk has already been at the epicenter of speculation after his "best" friend's Instagram Story post complaining about the 25-year-old having just three catches in the Super Bowl went viral. 

As for Allen, the 31-year-old who will turn 32 in April, is coming off the second-best season of his career and may find himself on the trading block anyway. In an otherwise bad season for the Chargers, Allen recorded 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns on 108 receptions while playing in 13 games.

Patriots' Josh Uche Signs 'Prove It' Contract

Yet, with the Chargers being pressed for cap space in their first offseason with new coach Jim Harbaugh, a star player or two, like Allen could be on the move. 

While it is unknown how long the Patriots will have to wait until Ridley makes his decision, they will not have a shortage of options if he chooses to stay in Jacksonville.

---