Falcons sign Calvin Ridley, completing rookie class

Calvin Ridley is a promising wide receiver, and even if he doesn’t wind up delivering huge year one results, he’s likely to be a big part of this Falcons passing game for many years to come. That refined route-running and blazing speed ought to give Matt Ryan another tremendous option, and I fully expect this offense to bounce back, with Ridley certainly contributing to that.

With all the other contract-related drama going on this summer, it’s a relief to know that Ridley is finally under contract. Happy Independence Day, sure, but also Happy Calvin Ridley Day.

Ridley’s deal will be mighty affordable for a #2 receiver over the next four seasons, and of course the Falcons will have that fifth-year team option to exercise if they’re interested in doing so. Over the next several seasons, I’d expect Ridley to be the second option behind Julio, but he’s talented enough to someday take the top spot on the team’s depth chart. I’m hopeful he’ll make a large immediate impact for what I also hope will be a Falcons Super Bowl team in 2018.

Welcome (officially) to Atlanta, Calvin Ridley.