Calvin Ridley
WR, Alabama · 2018 NFL Draft, Round 1, pick #26 (ATL)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #20 (#1 at his position), close to where he went (#26).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.6% of the time (2,104 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
23 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.4% of the time (2,127 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
Alabama: a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.3% of the time (4,181 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at 189 lbs: faster than 64% of WRs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.5% of the time (2,288 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
WR (WR group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 40.4% of the time (718 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 90 of ~133 possible regular-season games from 2018 through 2025 (~68%). Plus 6 games so far in 2026.
Every line comes from data: nflverse draft, combine and career data; ESPN's pre-draft ranks. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numberslive
| Games | 96 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 4 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 41 |
| 2026 in-season credit (est.) | 1.5 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 42.5 |
| Rushing | 30 att, 140 yds, 1 TD |
| Receiving | 410 rec, 5,759 yds, 40 TD |
| Defense | 1 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2018 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2018 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| Age 23 | 50.4% n=2,127 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| Position WR | 40.4% n=718 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 0", 189 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.43 s |
| Bench press | 15 reps |
| Vertical | 31" |
| Broad jump | 110" |
| 3-cone | 6.88 s |
| Shuttle | 4.41 s |
| Arm / hand | 31.63" / 9.13" |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #20 overall (#1 WR) |
Picked around him 2018 redraft
| 23 | Isaiah Wynn | redraft #82 |
| 24 | D.J. Moore | redraft #11 |
| 25 | Hayden Hurst | redraft #105 |
| 27 | Rashaad Penny | redraft #121 |
| 28 | Terrell Edmunds | redraft #72 |
| 29 | Taven Bryan | redraft #84 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.