10 Underrated NFL players under 25 years old in 2019

6. WR Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons

When you say University of Alabama and wide receiver, the first player that likely comes to mind is Atlanta Falcons’ superstar Julio Jones. So was it only instinct that, a year ago, the organization went back to the well which had provided them with one of the league’s best players seven years earlier?

This time around, the organization did not have to give up a lot of equity in terms of draft choices to move up to select another former standout for the Crimson Tide, as was the case for the opportunity to pick Jones back in 2011. General manager Thomas Dimitroff and the franchise stood pat at No. 26 and grabbed 6-1, 190-pound Calvin Ridley. And with quarterback Matt Ryan back in form, the 24-year old wideout wound up making a significant contribution as a rookie.

After not catching a pass in the first game of the season, he first reached the end zone in Week 2 in the team’s win over the Carolina Panthers. The following Sunday, there were seven receptions for 146 yards and three scores in a wild 43-37 overtime loss to the Saints.

Ridley would score two more touchdowns one week later in a 37-36 setback the Bengals. When it was all said and done, the promising talent finished fourth on the club with 64 catches, good for 821 yards and a team-best 10 touchdowns. He figures to be an intriguing player to watch this fall.