As 2023 marks the year of the wide receiver in fantasy football drafts, there's reason to highlight the wideouts who are going later but can climb into the upper echelon this season.

No one fits that mold more than Calvin Ridley, the forgotten star receiver who is returning from long two years of ups and downs with a brand-new team.

Ridley has been elite before but can he be again after such a long time away from the gridiron? That's what we're going to answer today.

Calvin Ridley Fantasy Football Projection

(Projections via numberFire)

2023 Projected Stats: 86.9 receptions, 1,083.9 receiving yards, 7.5 receiving TDs
2023 Projected Points: 196.8 points
numberFire Positional Projection: WR17

Calvin Ridley Fantasy Football Outlook

Where Ridley Was Before Suspension

There are understandably big question marks surrounding Ridley heading into this season but there should be just as much excitement as he makes his return to the NFL.

The new Jacksonville Jaguars wideout has had a tough go since 2021. He stepped away from the Atlanta Falcons and football due to mental health reasons after just five games. Ridley was then suspended indefinitely on March 7, 2022, after violating the NFL's gambling policy. It's been tough times after a brilliant start to his career but now with a change of scenery, returning to those early years as he enters his prime shouldn't be that crazy to think.

2020 was Ridley's full-on breakout, taking over for Julio Jones as the top receiver in the Falcons offense and Matt Ryan's favorite receiver. He finished second-team All-Pro after going for 90 receptions, 1,374 receiving yards, and 9 TDs.

Entering his age 28 season, this is his time to make up for a lot of lost time and return to that form. And he has a young star QB who is going to want to get him the ball again and again and again.

Trevor Lawrence Can Feed Multiple Relevant Fantasy Receivers

You don't have to look too far back to see what Trevor Lawrence is capable of when it comes to feeding receivers to be fantasy football relevant.

In what by all accounts was the breakout season pundits and fans were looking for out of the 2021 first-overall selection, Lawrence ate up and his receivers did too.

Christian Kirk was a constant WR2 one year ago, finishing with career-highs in receptions (84), receiving yards (1,108), and TDs (8). The same can be said for Zay Jones in terms of receptions and yards, finishing with 82 catches and 823 yards along with 5 TDs to become a great flex play.

Factor in Evan Engram into the equation to understand that Lawrence is one of those QBs that you want to be throwing the ball to a receiver on your fantasy team. And now, they've added a guy who is arguably the most talented of the bunch.

Seriously look at this -- he's different than the rest.

Again -- there are concerns regarding Ridley. However, not only does No. 0 have something to prove but so does the entire Jaguars team. He's hungry, they're hungry. Feels like it's a season where the Alabama product reminds everyone who he truly is.

Final Verdict: WR2 with High Upside

Agent 0 is going to be the guy and that makes him a WR2 heading into the year with true WR1 upside -- he's done it before.

Kirk had an incredible first season with the Jaguars. He stepped into the No. 1 role with no problem. But now this is Ridley's ball to get first. It's why the Jaguars went and got Ridley despite the up and down last two seasons.

Jacksonville is already hyping up the Lawrence-Ridley combination as is.

Some are all in on the Jaguars' new top guy while others say beware. In his career, Ridley has never averaged less than 10.9 fantasy points per game in half-point PPR leagues. That alone would leave him in the top 25 receivers from last year on a points-per-game basis -- aka a WR2.

numberFire has the Jaguars' new top guy as the WR17 heading into the season. There isn't much change on FantasyPros, as they have him at WR19 with a 49.3 ADP. Some of the receivers going over include Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen, who sit at WR17 and WR18 respectively. In FanDuel best ball leagues, Ridley is going even higher with a 40.1 ADP, just behind New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave.

The 2023 Jaguars lineup as the best team Ridley has ever played for if all goes as expected for them in the AFC South. He has something to prove and there's good reason he is a value based on the upside that he's shown before.

If you miss out on a receiver early, Ridley feels like the player you wait for and get to make up for it. The floor isn't too bad and the ceiling is through the roof. He's going to be well worth the fifth-round pick.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.