Calvin Ridley Rumors: Patriots 'to Swing Big on' Free Agent amid Jags Contract Buzz

The New England Patriots are flush with cap space and reportedly want to lavish some of that on Calvin Ridley.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the Patriots are "expected to swing big" in their attempt to pluck Ridley from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Ridley is the best receiver of the 2024 free-agent class after Mike Evans, Michael Pittman Jr. and Tee Higgins were either franchise-tagged or signed a new contract with their incumbent team.

The 29-year-old spent the 2023 season with the Jaguars after being suspended for the entire 2022 campaign amid a suspension for violating the NFL's gambling policy. Ridley was inconsistent in his return but still recorded 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Patriots have had one of the NFL's worst receiving corps for several years at this point. Demario Douglas led the team with 561 receiving yards in 2023, and New England has not had a 1,000-yard pass catcher since Tom Brady's departure after the 2019 season. Even the latter part of Brady's career in New England was marred by a lack of downfield playmaking at the receiver spot.

The Patriots have $82.8 million in cap space, second in the NFL behind the Washington Commanders ($91.5 million). Jacksonville has just $18.2 million in space, so it's possible the Patriots could blow the Jags out of the bidding.

If the Patriots land Ridley, we could start penciling them in to draft a quarterback with the No. 3 pick in next month's draft.