Titans and NFL Free Agency: Arguments for, against Signing Wide Receiver Calvin Ridley

Calvin Ridley is the second-best wide receiver set to become available next week when NFL free agency begins. If the Tennessee Titans want to sign him, they will have to pay for the privilege.

NASHVILLE — This time next week, wide receiver Calvin Ridley's services could be in high demand. The question is, will the Tennessee Titans be one of the NFL teams courting him?

The Titans can start negotiating with players on March 11, the first day of what the NFL calls the legal tampering period. On March 13, teams can sign free agents. 

Of the three free-agent receivers ranked highest by Pro Football Focus (PFF), Tampa Bay's Mike Evans extended his contract and is no longer available; and franchise tags have been placed on Cincinnati's Tee Higgins and Indianapolis' Michael Pittman. 

Moving to the head of the free-agent class in their absence are Arizona speedster Marquise Brown and Ridley.

Either player would be a significant upgrade for the Titans' passing offense. In 2023, there was no complement to DeAndre Hopkins, no consistent receiving option for rookie quarterback Will Levis. 

No wonder Levis recently expressed excitement about potentially playing with Jacksonville Jaguars free agent wide receiver Calvin Ridley. 

"Yeah, he's definitely an awesome player. I got to see first-hand him torch us a couple of times," Levis said on RG3 and The Ones. "It would be cool to have someone of his caliber out there playing."

AllTitans.com is taking the measure of some of the free agents who play positions of need for the Titans — such as Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tyron Smith.

Here are some of Calvin Ridley's career highlights:

• Pro Football Writers Association 2018 All-Rookie Team;
• Second-team NFL All-Pro in 2020;
• 4,358 yards on 324 catches and 36 touchdowns in five seasons. 

Here are the arguments.

No. Don't Do It

The Titans have roughly $70 million in salary cap space to sign free agents and they would need a chunk of that surplus to sign Ridley. 

According to Pro Football Focus and Spotrac, Ridley would command a three-year deal with an average annual salary between $18 million and $22 million — which would be the second-highest salary among Titans players.

A deeper dive into his 2023 performance reveals some blemishes:

• an 8.4% drop rate, 25th-highest out of 92 NFL wide receivers;
• and only 2.7 yards after catch, or 83rd among all receivers.

He had four games with 100-plus receiving yards — two against the Titans — but nine games with fewer than 50 yards.

The 2024 NFL Draft is rich with wide receivers, and with the No. 7 overall pick the Titans might be able to land one of the best college receivers.

Yes. Sign him

Line up Ridley and Hopkins' 2023 numbers side by side and they are virtually identical:

• 76 catches for Ridley, 75 for Hopkins;
• 1,016 receiving yards for Ridley, 1,057 for Hopkins;
• Ridley's eight touchdowns to Hopkins' seven.

Ridley is a speedy receiver who can create the explosive plays that the Titans desperately need on offense. As good as the prospects are in the upcoming draft, it could be easier to take Ridley who's proven he can handle the rigors of a 17-game NFL schedule. 

Related Titans stories

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• 5 PROSPECTS WORTH A LOOK: Several prospects stood out at the 2024 NFL Combine. A few players — such as Texas receiver Xavier Worthy and Houston offensive tackle Patrick Paul — might fit well with Tennessee. CLICK HERE
• AARON BREWER? YES OR NO: With NFL free agency arriving March 11, the Tennessee Titans have decisions to make about 24 pending free agents on their roster. One is starting center Aaron Brewer. CLICK HERE