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When will Calvin Ridley take the reigns from Julio Jones?

By Jeff Benedict

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 29: Julio Jones #11 and Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons look on during warm ups prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 29: Julio Jones #11 and Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons look on during warm ups prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Roddy White passed the torch to Julio Jones in 2012, will Calvin Ridley start his ascension in 2020?

There is zero debating that Julio Jones is the best receiver in the game and arguably one of the best to ever play. There is a reason every time someone wants to argue who is best, the only receiver in every comparative conversation is Julio.

You never see a comparative conversation of the league’s best that doesn’t include Julio Jones in the final two.

At this point heading into the 2020 season, there is no sign of Julio slowing down. Even last season which many consider a down year for Jet, he still had almost 1,400 yards, averaged more than 90 yards per game and more than 14 yards per catch.

Those are career bests for a lot of receivers.

Insert Calvin Ridley.

He has been good in his first couple of seasons, but if you are being honest with yourself, he has been highly inconsistent. He has stretches where he looks like another number one and then has stretches where he looks like a three.

At some point, Julio has to pass the torch to someone, and its time that Ridley takes the next step toward taking over that spot.

Taking a quick look over the first two years of Roddy White’s, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley’s, will show year three needs to be a big one for Ridley. Julio had 2,157 yards and 18 touchdowns, Roddy White had 952 yards and three touchdowns and Calvin Ridley has 1,687 yards and 17 touchdowns. Roddy only started 13 games in his first two seasons but broke out with 1,202 yards and six touchdowns in year three.

dark. Next. Should the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff have 2020 immunity?

No one expects Calvin Ridley to be the Falcons top receiver in 2020 or 2021 but he has to show himself to be worthy of the torch as Julio enters his early thirties. Year three is going to be a major one for Calvin Ridley with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Falcons have to decide whether or not to pick up his fifth-year option (newsflash – they will) and have to consider what his role in this offense will be beyond year five as they look to extend him into the future.

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