5 Jaguars who are certified building blocks for the future

The Jacksonville Jaguars experienced a drought of talent throughout most of the 2010s but they've had a good job of replenishing the roster and finding playmakers over the last two years.

Heading into the 2023 season, the Jags have several players with Pro Bowl potential on their roster, and these five are poised to be foundational pieces for their future.

No. 5 Jaguars certified building block: Calvin Ridley, WR

You could argue that it's odd to see wide receiver Calvin Ridley as a foundational piece when he hasn't even played a snap for the Jaguars but the truth is that he showed what he was capable of doing early in his career with the Atlanta Falcons.

Ridley, a first-round selection by the Falcons in 2018, caught 217 passes for 3,061 yards with 26 touchdowns in his first three seasons. However, he only played in five games in 2021 before deciding to hang up his cleats. During his retirement, he bet on NFL games, which earned him an indefinite suspension from the league.

Now back from his suspension, Ridley is healthy and ready to pick up where he left off. So far, the Alabama product has gotten rave reviews from teammates and coaches. Similarly, he's gotten lots of praise from other wide receivers in the league.

Even though the Jaguars' offense is loaded with weapons, Ridley can give the passing game another dimension. Besides having the ability to stretch the field, his presence will draw coverage away from his teammates, which will in turn present favorable matchups for everyone.

Simply put, Ridley can be Trevor Lawrence's No. 1 target for years to come.