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Grading the top 5 rookie WRs drafted in 2018

By Joel Deering

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of D.J. Moore of Maryland after he was picked #24 overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of D.J. Moore of Maryland after he was picked #24 overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 14: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 14: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

2. 26th Overall Pick – Calvin Ridley – Atlanta Falcons

Games Played: 8

Games Started: 0

Receiving Stats: 33 receptions for 463 yards, an average of 14.0 yards per catch and 7 TDs.

Analysis: Calvin Ridley is leading all rookie WRs in receptions, yards and TD catches. Perhaps what’s most impressive about that is the fact that he’s doing it without having started a game. Ridley is third on the Falcons’ depth chart, but is still making a huge impact.

Having so much attention on Julio Jones has probably helped Ridley achieve some portion of his stats. Being third on the depth chart means he’s mostly going against the number three CB on a defense. Things might be different if Ridley had to go against lockdown CBs right now, but that’s not his role.

Ridley’s role is to be another weapon for Matt Ryan to have in his arsenal. That’s exactly what he’s done through nine weeks of the season, which is made obvious by his 7 TD catches.

Over the last few years, we’ve seen less and less rookie WRs being drafted in the first-round. In this past draft, D.J. Moore and Calvin Ridley were the only two WRs to go in the first-round. With less rookie WRs being drafted so high, the expectations for them have been lowered.

Rookie WRs aren’t expected to be Odell Beckham Jr. in their rookie season anymore. Ridley is starting to change that perspective again. He’s not putting up numbers like OBJ did his rookie season, but he is proving he was worthy of a first-round pick.

Ridley’s on pace to end the season with 66 receptions for 926 yards and 14 TDs. The Falcons made good use of the 26th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Grade: A

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