Meet Wide Receiver Riley Ridley, the Chicago Bears’ Fourth-Round Pick

The Chicago Bears didn’t have a desperate need at wide receiver entering the 2019 NFL Draft, which is a refreshing change compared to some recent years. And yet, the team decided to add to their collection of pass-catchers by drafting Georgia standout Riley Ridley.

Let’s meet him!

THE PICK (ROUND 4, PICK 126)

  • Name: Riley Ridley
  • College: Georgia
  • Position: Wide receiver
  • Age: 21
  • Height, weight, hand size, arms: 6-foot-1, 199 pounds, 10-1/4 inches, 32-5/8 inches
  • NEED TO KNOW

  • 2018 stats: 14 games, 43 catches, 559 yards, 9 touchdowns
  • Career stats: 28 games, 69 catches, 1,015 yards, 13 touchdowns; 4 rushes, 46 yards
  • Family ties: His brother, Calvin, was a first-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2018.
  • HIGHLIGHTS

    COMBINE RESULTS

  • 40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
  • Bench press: 13
  • Vertical: 30.5 inches
  • Broad jump: 124.0 inches
  • 3-cone drill: 7.22 seconds
  • 20-yard shuttle: 4.28 seconds
  • THREE STRENGTHS

  • Route-running excellence. Ridley is a renowned route-runner, which is a plus in Matt Nagy’s offense. Precision is key and getting to a spot where a quarterback can find you in a quick and efficient manner can go a long way. Ridley isn’t much of a deep threat, but he has a bit of wiggle in his game that allows him to create separation and his instincts tend to guide him into open areas.
  • Excellent hands. Ridley has a knack for catching everything thrown in his general direction. And much like having sharp route-running abilities is a good thing, catching the ball after getting open is pretty important, too. If his college production is any indication of what is to come at the next level, then it shouldn’t take long for Ridley to earn Mitch Trubisky’s trust when he is out there.
  • Superb pedigree. You might as well get used to hearing this because it won’t be the last time it comes up – Riley’s brother, Calvin, was a first-round pick in 2018. But that’s not the only reason he has a noteworthy prospect pedigree. Riley Ridley was a four-star recruit by ESPN when he was coming out of high school and checked in as their 239th best high school prospect on the ESPN 300 big board. From there, Ridley showed he can hang with the best of ’em by playing (and excelling) at Georgia against SEC competition.
  • THREE WEAKNESSES

  • Top-end speed lacking. Unlike his brother, Calvin, Riley doesn’t have top-end speed. If he did, Ridley probably wouldn’t have lasted into the fourth round. But that’s OK, his timed 4.58-second 40-yard time hints at the fact that there is enough juice to be a productive NFL player.
  • Doesn’t possess quick-bursts. Ridley’s athleticism doesn’t jump off the screen, and it shows when he doesn’t flash with quick bursts in space. He also hasn’t shown to have the type of breakaway speed scouts and fans drool over in the pre-draft process. But what he lacks in raw speed, he makes up with the route-running and football IQ. Again, if Ridley had every tool in the tool box, he would have been off the board long ago.
  • Size could allow for him to be jammed by more physical cornerbacks. At 6-1 and 199 pounds, Ridley isn’t super small. But there is a certain type of cornerback who can take him out of his game at the line of scrimmage. And because speed isn’t his thing, separation can be an issue. Improving his technique at the point of attack could help mitigate concerns in this area.
  • NFL.COM COMPARISON: James Jones.

    (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

    PFF SCOUTING REPORT

    PRESS INTRODUCTION

    written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

    more bears news

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Defensive Linemen

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

    And Now Penei Sewell Has Signed a MASSIVE Extension With The Lions

    Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hard at work today! It's fitting that just a day before the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit, the Lions have locked up two franchise, homegrown cornerstones just hours apart. This morning,...

    Take a Look at the New Chicago Bears Stadium Renderings

    The Chicago Bears unveiled plans for their downtown lakefront stadium proposal on Wednesday. And as you might expect, it is very kind on the eyes: https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783185834490888461 The Bears even gave the project a code name — The Burnham Park Project: The...

    Amon-Ra St. Brown Signs MASSIVE Extention With Lions

    We have a new highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL! According to a report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Lions have made Amon-Ra St. Brown the richest wideout in the NFL with a four-year, $120 million contract extension...

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Offensive Linemen

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

    Stadium Stuff, Rome and Caleb, New Bears Hires, and Other Bears Bullets

    The 2024 NFL Draft is just one day away. Soon, we'll get to hear those magic words: "The Chicago Bears are on the clock." And they'll mean something! ICYMI: The Bears, who are set to have a press conference at...

    Ian Cunningham is Getting an Extension From the Bears

    Ian Cunningham is set to stick around for a little while longer. The Chicago Bears assistant general manager is getting some years tacked on to his contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. No details on how many more years are...

    The Bears Are Expected to Ask For Some Public Money For New Stadium

    If you have followed pro sports stadium projects in the past, then you probably are aware that taxpayers tend to end up footing a hearty chunk of the bill. And while the Chicago Bears have not yet made public their...

    Bears GM Ryan Poles Isn’t Necessarily Looking to Trade For More Draft Picks

    Ryan Poles has done well in creating a bevy of picks in each of his first two NFL Draft classes as Chicago Bears general manager. And even though the Bears have a league-low four picks in this week's NFL Draft,...

    Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: 4.0

    We’re just over 24 hours from the NFL Draft, and all I can say is finally. Finally, we’re done with the speculation. I’ll never forget the Bears Twitter Civil War of 2024 centered around the Caleb Williams vs. Justin Fields...

    Latest News

    Dodgers vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) and Will Smith (four hits last time out) are favored (-199) on the moneyline for their matchup with the Washington Nationals (10-13) on Thursday at 4:05 PM ET on MLB Network.Los Angeles' Yoshinobu Yamamoto and...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

    The Cubs did all their scoring in the first, and made it stand up for the win with generally good pitching and generally good defense. Jameson Taillon looked solid again in his second start, locating well, giving up no barrels,...

    Mariners vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners (12-12) visit the Texas Rangers (13-12) at 2:35 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Caleb Raleigh has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

    Padres vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The San Diego Padres (14-13) are favorites (-150) on the moneyline when they take on the Colorado Rockies (6-19) Thursday at 3:10 PM ET, live on SDPA.Randy Vasquez will get the ball for San Diego while Colorado will counter with...

    Dodgers vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

    After winning three games in a row, the Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) play on the road against the Washington Nationals (10-13) at 4:05 PM ET on Thursday.The probable starters are Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-1) for the Dodgers and MacKenzie Gore (2-1)...

    Royals vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Kansas City Royals (15-10) are favored on the moneyline (-121) in Thursday's contest versus the Toronto Blue Jays (13-12). Game time is at 2:10 PM ET on SNET. The Blue Jays, with +168 odds, are favored against the spread...

    Astros vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Houston Astros (7-18) visit the Chicago Cubs (15-9) at 2:20 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Jose Altuve has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 25, 2024

    The Boston Red Sox versus the Cleveland Guardians is a game to see on a Thursday MLB schedule that features 10 competitive contests.There are typically plenty of MLB player prop bets available for each and every matchup. Scroll down to...

    Padres vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

    The Colorado Rockies (6-19) face off against the San Diego Padres (14-13) at home on Thursday beginning at 3:10 PM ET.The probable starters are Randy Vasquez (0-1) for the Padres and Dakota Hudson (0-4) for the Rockies.Padres vs. Rockies Pitcher...

    Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers (15-8) are set to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-12) Thursday at 12:35 PM ET, airing on BSWI. The Brewers are listed as -128 favorites by sportsbooks, while the underdog Pirates have +107 odds for the contest.Freddy...

    more bears news