Dallas Cowboys 2018 Draft Target: WR Calvin Ridley
Calvin Ridley, a wide receiver from the University of Alabama, should be a high priority target for the Dallas Cowboys in the first round.
After a 9-7 disappointing season, the Dallas Cowboys clearly have many holes in their roster they need to address this offseason. The biggest of those holes may be the wide receiver position .
With an aging Dez Bryant, decreased production from Cole Beasley and Terrance Williams, and the likely loss of Brice Butler in free agency, it is clear the Cowboys will have to make a move in the draft to strengthen the position.
Although it is never a positive to go into a draft desperately needing help at one position, the Cowboys are in luck, as there are about six to seven wide receivers who could be first round talents in this years draft.
The best of those prospects may be Calvin Ridley, from the University of Alabama.
The 23-year old junior measures in at 6-foot-1 and 190 lbs. Ridley finished his 2017 season with a line of 63 catches for 967 yards, and five touchdowns.
Although these numbers may seem fairly low for a first round receiver, Ridley played in an offense at Alabama that is run dominant, and didn’t get as many opportunities as other receivers.
Ridley’s main strengths are his playmaking ability, something that Cowboys desperately lack on the offensive side of the ball, he is a great route runner, and is very good in the open field after the catch.
Ridley showed his knack of performing in the clutch on Monday night, catching the game tying touchdown pass in the 4th quarter of the National Championship against Georgia.
Some negatives on Ridley are his age, and his slender frame. Ridley is currently 23 years old, after not graduating high school till he was 20. This is very uncommon for most NFL draft prospects, as the average age for most first round prospects is about 21 years old.
Ridley also has a slender frame, as he only weights 190 lbs. This could be a concern at the next level, and it will be interesting to see if his body is able to hold up and be durable with the punishment wide receivers take in the NFL.
Although there are a few concerns, the positives far outweigh the negatives with Ridley. If the Cowboys are able to grab him in the draft, he would instantly have a huge impact on their offense. Ridley would add a big play threat to the Cowboys wide receiver core that they are severely lacking currently.
One thing Ridley would also help with is the production of Dez Bryant. If the Cowboys were to have Ridley and Bryant on the filed at the same time, Ridley would draw attention that would need to be taken away from Dez, and may allow him to face more 1 on 1 matchups and easier coverages.
Also, with questions about Dez’s future in Dallas, Ridley could provide for a great insurance policy, if the Cowboys do decide to part ways in the near future with their number one receiver.
All in all, it may take a lot for the Cowboys to acquire Ridley in the draft. They may have to move up some spots, and give up later round or future picks.
Next: Cowboys 2018 NFL Draft - Positions off limits in 1st round
Even though giving up picks can be risky, it would be worth it for Dallas to get Ridley. He is going to be a star in the NFL, and it would be great to see him wearing the star on the side of his helmet when he does it.