4 most important Jacksonville Jaguars offseason arrivals in 2023

No. 1 most important Jaguars arrival in 2023: Calvin Ridley, WR

You can point out that the Jaguars traded for wide receiver Calvin Ridley before last year's deadline so he wasn't an arrival this offseason. Technically, you're right. However, he wasn't able to join the team or have contact with the coaching staff because he was serving an indefinite suspension for betting on NFL games. Once his suspension was lifted in March, he officially met with the team's brass and his teammates. Think of it as a tomato-tomato kind of situation.

Whether Ridley joined the Jags last year or this offseason, he has been heavily involved in team activities and has already made a strong impression. While it's hard to assess players during OTAs, the Alabama product stood out because of his intensity and his top athleticism. Even though he hasn't played a snap in more than a year, he's already been discussed as one of the top receivers in the league by his peers and analysts alike.

While it might sound like hyperbole, it feels like Ridley could help Lawrence get his game to the next level. Similarly, he could be the missing piece in the Jaguars' Super Bowl puzzle. When you think of difference-makers, the Florida native quickly comes to mind. Again, he last played in 2021 and he did so with a broken foot. Now healthy, both mentally and physically, he's ready to regain his place as one of the top receivers in the league.

The bottom line is that Ridley is hungry and he'll help the Jaguars keep up with other AFC South powerhouses such as the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Buffalo Bills. Don't be surprised if Ridley is the reason the Jags win a few close games in the regular season... and in the playoffs.

Here are other recent Jaguars stories that you might like: