When the Falcons selected Calvin Ridley in the 2018 draft, many analysts and fans were slightly puzzled by the selection. Most expected the Falcons to draft an offensive or defensive lineman. To select a wide receiver showed their intentions of wanting to add more offensive explosiveness and dynamism.
As talented as the Falcons’ offense was on paper, they looked stagnant during large portions of the 2017 season. Steve Sarkisian received most of the blame for their overall decline. What can’t be discounted is how the Falcons were missing a reliable vertical threat opposite Julio Jones.