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Calvin Ridley joins Alabama’s parade of first-round picks in NFL Draft
By Chris Wright
Published:
For the fourth consecutive year, one of Alabama’s best offensive players was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Calvin Ridley, who helped the Tide win two national championships in three years, was selected No. 26 overall by the Atlanta Falcons. It’s an ideal situation: playing a supporting role to fellow Tide star Julio Jones, catching passes from Pro Bowler Matt Ryan.
Ridley was the fourth Tide player taken Thursday. Minkah Fitzpatrick went No. 11 overall to Miami, Da’Ron Payne No. 13 to Washington and Rashaan Evans No. 22 to Tennessee.
Ridley entered the draft widely considered the top receiver available but was selected after Maryland’s D.J. Moore, who went No. 24 to Carolina.
He’s the third Tide receiver to become a first-round pick since Nick Saban arrived and he extended the Tide’s annual offensive streak, joining O.J. Howard (2017), Ryan Kelly (2016) and Amari Cooper (2015) as first-rounders.
Ridley, who left Alabama after his junior season, finished second in program history in receptions (224) and touchdown receptions (19).
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
