Riley Ridley
Wide Receiver #8
College: Georgia
Born: July 26, 1997
Drafted: 2019 / Rd. 4 (126)
Draft Team: CHI
Riley Ridley: Sees limited action in 2020
Ridley played just 41 offensive snaps in his second season with the Bears, catching four passes for 39 yards.
Analysis: Ridley has done very little in his two seasons with the Bears, and although he's signed through the 2022 season, he'll need to show significant improvement before being considered as a reliable fantasy option.
Riley Ridley: Gets nod for Week 14
Ridley is active for Sunday's matchup against the Texans, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Analysis: Ridley was a healthy scratch last Sunday against the Lions, but Week 14 will mark his fourth appearance of 2020. Darnell Mooney is slated to play against the Texans, however, Ridley may be in line for extra opportunities as a depth WR given that Mooney missed practice all week while attending to a personal matter.
December 13, 2020 9:05 AM EST
Riley Ridley: Sitting down Week 13
Ridley (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against Detroit.
Analysis: Ridley has appeared in just three games this season, posting a combined four receptions for 39 yards. The 2019 fourth-round pick fielded 11 offensive snaps last Sunday night against the Packers, but Javon Wims' return to the lineup from a two-game suspension knocks Ridley down in the pecking order.
December 6, 2020 9:09 AM EST
Riley Ridley: Posts 16 yards in defeat
Ridley caught two passes for 16 yards in Chicago's 41-25 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
Analysis: Ridley has now appeared in three straight games, but he's posted just four catches for 39 yards, and unless his role in the offense increases, he'll have minimal fantasy value.
November 29, 2020 8:45 PM EST
Riley Ridley: First action of season
Ridley caught two passes for 23 yards in the Bears' 24-17 loss to the Titans on Sunday.
Analysis: In his first action of the season, Ridley was targeted twice in a game that Nick Foles threw the football 52 times, but unless he sees his role in the offense grow drastically, his fantasy value will remain minimal.
November 8, 2020 2:51 PM EST
Riley Ridley: Not suiting up Sunday
Ridley (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Packers.
Analysis: Ridley will take a seat for the second straight game to begin the season after he played five games as a rookie in 2019. Barring injuries, it's unlikely that Ridley will make a significant impact from a fantasy perspective in his sophomore season. Darnell Mooney and Javon Wims will handle depth receiving duties Sunday.
September 20, 2020 9:29 AM EST
Riley Ridley: Won't play in Week 1
Ridley (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Lions.
Analysis: The 2019 fourth-round pick suited up in only five games a rookie, totaling six receptions for 69 yards. Chicago was hoping Ridley might take a step forward in his sophomore season, but the fact that six other receivers are active ahead of him suggests he isn't close to cracking a meaningful role in the team's wideout rotation.
Riley Ridley: Competing for expanded role
While Allen Robinson (ankle) has been sidelined, Ridley has been impressive while competing with Javon Wims, Adam Jahns of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Ridley is showing signs of growth after a nondescript rookie season, as he's made some big plays while also showing the ability to be successful against zone defenses. For now, he's likely battling with Wims for the No. 4 spot behind Ted Ginn, as Wims has been making more big plays than Ridley during camp. If Ridley begins to climb the depth chart, he'll be a player to monitor for fantasy managers.
August 27, 2020 5:07 AM EST
Riley Ridley: Expected to contribute
Position coach Mike Furrey expects Ridley to display the most growth among Bears wide receivers this season, Colleen Kane of The Chicago Tribune reports. "I think the biggest growth we're going to see with anybody in our room is going to be Riley Ridley," Furrey said. "The passion he has to become successful in this game, he loves the process. And I believe when you love the process, it's going to be successful."
Analysis: The 2019 fourth-round pick caught three passes for 54 yards Week 17, but he otherwise was limited to three receptions on 77 offensive snaps in four appearances. Ridley could be in the mix for a top-three role this summer, competing with Ted Ginn, Javon Wims and Cordarrelle Patterson to see playing time alongside Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller. Despite Furrey's expectations, it's hard to image the winner of that battle establishing mainstream fantasy relevance.
June 26, 2020 10:04 AM EST
Riley Ridley: Receives four targets
Ridley caught three passes for 54 yards in the Bears' 21-19 win over the Vikings in Week 17.
Analysis: Ridley saw very little action in his rookie campaign before the season finale, and he'll enter the second of a five-year contract in 2020 looking to earn an increased role in the offense, but until that happens, his fantasy value will be mostly limited to dynasty leagues.
Riley Ridley: First multi-catch game of career
Analysis: In a game that Mitchell Trubisky tossed 53 pass attempts, Ridley was targeted just twice, and he now has a total of 15 yards over two games played. He won't be a recommended fantasy option in a Week 16 home contest against the Chiefs.
Riley Ridley: First NFL reception
Ridley caught one pass for five yards in the Bears' 31-24 win over the Cowboys on Thursday.
Analysis: After the Bears lost Javon Wims to an in-game knee injury, Ridley saw playing time for just the second time this season, and he caught his only target of the season for a short gain. If Wims misses time, it's unlikely Ridley sees enough targets to be a major fantasy contributor, but the fact that he'd potentially see significant snaps would make him someone to consider in very deep fantasy leagues.
Riley Ridley: Healthy scratch for MNF
Ridley (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's tilt against the Redskins.
Analysis: The 2019 fourth-round pick hasn't seen action in any of the previous two games, and will continue to wait to make his NFL debut. Without Ridley, the team will roll with Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller, Cordarrelle Patterson and Javon Wims at receiver.
September 23, 2019 3:59 PM EST
Riley Ridley: Being held out Week 1
Ridley (coach's decision) is inactive Thursday versus the Packers.
Analysis: The 2019 fourth-round pick will be the odd man out in his first chance to do so as a professional. With Ridley on the sideline, Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Taylor Gabriel, Cordarrelle Patterson and Javon Wims are the Bears' available wide receivers.
September 5, 2019 4:22 PM EST
Riley Ridley: Targeted five times versus Giants
Ridley caught three of five targets for 19 yards during Friday's 32-13 preseason loss to the Giants.
Analysis: Ridley averaged an underwhelming 6.3 yards per catch, but it was a positive development that he drew five targets after not seeing a single one in the preseason opener. The rookie isn't battling for playing time among an especially deep group of wideouts, so perhaps he can make a case for a role in the regular season with some more productive preseason outings. It should be noted that starter Mitch Trubisky wasn't involved in this one, so next Saturday's matchup with the Colts could be more telling regarding Ridley's status.
August 16, 2019 8:55 PM EST
Riley Ridley: Not targeted in preseason opener
Ridley was not targeted in Thursday night's 23-13 preseason loss to the Panthers.
Analysis: Ridley didn't get a chance to show his pass-catching skills Thursday, but it'd be surprising if the Bears don't make a point to incorporate their rookie fourth-rounder more in next week's exhibition outing versus the Giants.
August 8, 2019 8:35 PM EST
Riley Ridley: Back in action
Ridley (hamstring) returned to practice Monday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: The 2019 fourth-rounder doesn't have a clear path to steady regular-season targets, with Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller and Taylor Gabriel ahead of him on the depth chart, but the 6-foot-1, 199-pounder could eventually develop into a solid possession receiver for the Bears.
August 5, 2019 9:06 AM EST
Riley Ridley: Considered week-to-week
Coach Matt Nagy said Saturday that Ridley (hamstring) is week-to-week, Adam Hoge of WGN Radio 720 AM Chicago reports.
Analysis: Nagy also said he is "not overly concerned" about Ridley's injury. Ridley faces steep competition to earn snaps as a rookie, with Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller (shoulder) and Taylor Gabriel clearly defined as Chicago's top three wideouts, in addition to Tarik Cohen and Cordarrell Patterson present as gadget players. The 2019 fourth-round pick could face difficulty carving out a role in 2019 if he were to miss significant time leading up to the season.
July 27, 2019 10:30 AM EST
Riley Ridley: Injures hamstring
Ridley was removed from Friday's practice due to a right hamstring injury, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The Bears' receiving corps has a defined top three and a gadget player in Cordarrelle Patterson, blocking Ridley's path to relevance as a rookie. A health concern won't help Ridley's cause, either, but he has plenty of time and opportunity to show the coaching staff what he may be able to contribute in 2019. A fourth-round selection, he profiles as a possession receiver whenever he can lock down a consistent role in the offense.
July 26, 2019 3:14 PM EST