Atlanta Falcons Win
Summary: Jacksonville acquired WR Calvin Ridley from Atlanta (while Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season) for a 2023 5th-round pick and a conditional 2024 3rd-round pick. Analysis: Jacksonville gambled on Ridley's return from suspension. He played one solid season in 2023 (1,016 yards), then departed in free agency. Paying a 3rd and 5th for one productive season and then losing the player for nothing is a poor long-term return. Atlanta received picks for a player they effectively had to move. The trade is better characterized as a slight Atlanta win — they sold high on a suspended player and got draft capital. Jacksonville's C+ is too generous. Grade revised to C. Atlanta sold high on a suspended star; Jacksonville's one-year rental ultimately cost a third-round-level return for limited long-term value.
Jacksonville Jaguars Received
- player Calvin Ridley
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2023 5th round pick (159th overall subsequently traded, Dontayvion Wicks ), 2024 3rd round pick (79th overall subsequently traded, Matt Goncalves )
Trade Summary
Summary: Jacksonville acquired WR Calvin Ridley from Atlanta (while Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season) for a 2023 5th-round pick and a conditional 2024 3rd-round pick. Analysis: Jacksonville gambled on Ridley's return from suspension. He played one solid season in 2023 (1,016 yards), then departed in free agency. Paying a 3rd and 5th for one productive season and then losing the player for nothing is a poor long-term return. Atlanta received picks for a player they effectively had to move. The trade is better characterized as a slight Atlanta win — they sold high on a suspended player and got draft capital. Jacksonville's C+ is too generous. Grade revised to C. Atlanta sold high on a suspended star; Jacksonville's one-year rental ultimately cost a third-round-level return for limited long-term value.
Trade Analysis
Summary: Jacksonville acquired WR Calvin Ridley from Atlanta (while Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season) for a 2023 5th-round pick and a conditional 2024 3rd-round pick. Analysis: Jacksonville gambled on Ridley's return from suspension. He played one solid season in 2023 (1,016 yards), then departed in free agency. Paying a 3rd and 5th for one productive season and then losing the player for nothing is a poor long-term return. Atlanta received picks for a player they effectively had to move. The trade is better characterized as a slight Atlanta win — they sold high on a suspended player and got draft capital. Jacksonville's C+ is too generous. Grade revised to C. Atlanta sold high on a suspended star; Jacksonville's one-year rental ultimately cost a third-round-level return for limited long-term value. Atlanta sold a suspended receiver — enormous uncertainty — for a 5th and conditional 3rd. The 3rd conveyed (Matt Goncalves, 79th). Atlanta received legitimate draft capital for a player they couldn't use. The Falcons maximized value from an awkward situation. Grade: B Atlanta converted a suspended player into meaningful draft value before Ridley reached free agency.