Fantasy Football Player Notes

The last time we saw Calvin Ridley, he was still among the best receivers in the league. In 2021, Ridley was seventh in target share (27.4%), fourth in air yard share (40.0%), and fifth in route win rate. Ridley and Ryan just couldn't find their old chemistry, as Ryan's skills were profoundly diminished. Ridley was subjected to backup quarterback-level target quality that ranked 63rd. His catchable target rate was only 71.2% (73rd). While it's worth pondering what version of Ridley we'll see returning from hiatus, don't for a second think he was playing poorly in 2021 despite the fantasy results not being there. With Trevor Lawrence taking a huge step forward in 2022, Ridley will be a WR2 next season with WR1 upside.

Christian Kirk set career highs across the board in 2022 as the WR18 in fantasy points per game. He gobbled up a 23.2% target share (24th) with the 15th-best raw target volume among wide receivers. Kirk also ranked 12th in deep targets, fifth in red-zone looks, and 22nd in yards per route run. Kirk was 21st in PFF slot receiving grade with 76.7% of his target volume coming via the slot (minimum 15 slot targets). With Calvin Ridley entering the target pecking order conversation in Jacksonville, Kirk profiles as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3.

Zay Jones has an uphill battle this year if he hopes to get close to the 121 targets (18th-best) he saw last year. Calvin Ridley will undoubtedly take a giant juicy bite from that target pie. Jones was the WR31 in fantasy points per game last year, settling in as Trevor Lawrence's red zone favorite (12th-most red zone targets). Jones was 30th in route win rate and 25th in total route wins (per Playerprofiler.com), so his ability to draw targets in this offense shouldn't disappear. He's best viewed as a WR4/5.