Dallas Cowboys: Could Riley Ridley be a second round target?
The Dallas Cowboys decided to neglect the receiver position in the 2018 NFL draft. Could they go after Riley Ridley after passing on Calvin Ridley?
Leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys were believed to be high on Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley but chose to go with Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch instead. While the decision was a good one, it was fairly easy to see that the Cowboys needed receiver help.
After seeing the impact that Calvin Ridley had on the Atlanta Falcons last season (64 catches, 821 yards, 10 touchdowns), one would assume Dallas would be interested in his younger brother as well, Georgia wide receiver Riley Ridley.
As a Bulldog, Ridley was one of the top offensive weapons in their passing game. During his three years there, he was able to catch 69 passes for 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also averaged an impressive 14.7 yards per catch during his time at Georgia.
At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Riley Ridley fits the physical profile of what the Cowboys look for in a receiver. Much like his brother, Riley has great route running skills and the ability to create separation making him very quarterback friendly. Coming for Georgia he is also a very willing and effective blocker in the running game.
Now the reason that Ridley could fall to Dallas in the second round of the draft could stem from an arrest in 2017 for possession of marijuana. Teams could definitely use this incident as a reason to pass on the talented wide receiver.
We know that the Dallas Cowboys aren’t usually afraid to take chances on injured players or players with a troubled history. And if Riley Ridley is able to give the Cowboys anything close to what his brother did in Atlanta last season, Dallas might be willing to take the risk.
How would you feel about Riley Ridley as the Cowboys second-round pick after not taking Calvin Ridley last year? Tell us in the comment section below.