5 Free Agent Targets to Prepare the Patriots for a Rookie Quarterback

2. Calvin Ridley

Likely the best wide receiver on the market, Ridley is coming off of a 1,000-yard season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2023, Ridley caught 76 passes for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns. It was his first season since a season-long suspension in 2022 for betting on NFL games.

Jacksonville appears that it could already be ready to move on from Ridley, as they agreed to terms with receiver Gabe Davis on Monday.

Pro Football Focus has Ridley as the 14th-best free agent in this class, and identified the Patriots as the best fit for the 29-year-old. New England reportedly do have their sights set on Ridley, also acknowledging that pairing a young quarterback with the receiver room as is would be setting the QB up to fail.

The Patriots have already begun their overhaul of the wide receiver room with DeVante Parker slated to be cut when the new league year begins on Wednesday, and JuJu Smith-Schuster could also be on the way out. Ridley would be a great option to upgrade the talent on the depth chart at that position and give New England's young QB another playmaking threat.

If Ridley signed with the Patriots right now, he would be the clearcut best playmaker on the roster. New England has to make a run.