Calvin Ridley made a big no-no when he decided to dabble in a couple of NFL parlays while on the non-football injury list last season. Although it proves Ridley is ‘one of us,’ the Falcons’ star wideout will miss the entirety of the 2022 NFL season.
The league put out a statement on Monday saying Ridley wagered on NFL games over a five-day stretch in November 2021 while in Florida. The league noted the receiver placed several multi-legged parlays (up to eight legs!), that included his Falcons to win (they beat Jacksonville during that time). Although the league stated he did not receive inside information, it has a strict no gambling policy that resulted in the indefinite suspension.
“There is nothing more fundamental to the NFL’s success — and to the reputation of everyone associated with our league — than upholding the integrity of the game,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote to Ridley. “This is the responsibility of every player, coach, owner, game official, and anyone else employed in the league. Your actions put the integrity of the game at risk, threatened to damage public confidence in professional football, and potentially undermined the reputations of your fellow players throughout the NFL.
“For decades, gambling on NFL games has been considered among the most significant violations of league policy warranting the most substantial sanction. In your case, I acknowledge and commend you for your promptly reporting for an interview, and for admitting your actions.”
Ridley can apply for reinstatement on Feb. 15, 2023, the league said.
FALCONS FANTASY FOOTBALL IMPACT
In his absence, Kyle Pitts is the obvious beneficiary. The tight end only found the end zone once as a rookie, but he still put up 1,026 receiving yards on 68 receptions. Expect his numbers to go up across the board with a full season and offseason under his belt.
In 12 games with Ridley out of the lineup, Pitts averaged over six targets per game, nearly four receptions per game, 56 yards per game, and had his one score. He also saw a 21.1% target share, a 60.5% catch rate, a 10.8-yard adot, and eight red zone targets, according to CBS.
Outside of Pitts, we have no idea what the Falcons’ pass-catcher room will look like in 2022. Cordarrelle Patterson, Russell Gage, and Tajae Sharpe are unrestricted free agents, while Olamide Zaccheaus and Christian Blake are both restricted free agents.
Expect the Falcons to be very active in the receiver free agency market and in the draft — where they pick
CALVIN RIDLEY FANTASY OUTLOOK & SUMMARY
While Ridley claims he does not have a gambling problem and should come back healthier than ever in 2023, we have no idea what will happen with the receiver. The Falcons were already taking calls on Ridley and he will be in a contract year in 2023.
Still, Ridley is one of the more talented wide receivers in the league and if he has shrugged off the demons that plagued him last season, then he could be a steal in dynasty leagues. Throw out a second-round draft pick, along with a mid-tier wideout offer and see if a disgruntled Ridley owner will bite.
The Falcons will likely trade Ridley once he is reinstated and there were reports that the Patriots and Browns were interested in trading for the receiver.
Keep an eye on The Wolf’s 2022 Fantasy Football Rankings to see where the impacted players land on his Big Board.
