Free agent Stevan Ridley was recently acquired by the New York Jets.
ESPN reported that the former New England Patriots running back signed a deal for one year with New York on April 8.
Andy Simms, Ridley's agent, said, "He's excited for the opportunity and his rehab is going strong at this point."
Ridley is 26 years old, 5'11 and 220 pounds. It has been five months since he had his major knee surgery in 2014. Ridley had also shown a lot of potential in 2012, garnering a career-high 1,263 yards on 290 carries and scoring 12 touchdowns. He is very useful in first and second downs but reportedly lacks abilities as a receiver, having only 23 receptions in his career. In 2014, however, he only ran for 340 yards and managed to score two touchdowns before suffering an ACL and MCL tear. NBC Sports reported that in his four years in the NFL, Ridley has logged 649 carries for 2,817 yards plus 22 touchdowns.
The New York Jets have been one of the busiest teams in the offseason, having re-signed Bilal Powell and acquiring Darrelle Revis. Ridley is actually the team's 15th new player. Ridley is expected to beef up the backfield with Powell and Chris Ivory, based on a report by CBS Sports. New York might also get a home-run hitter kind of back from the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft.
Before visiting and signing with the Jets, he also reportedly met with the Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins. NFL.com reported that Ridley wanted to join Chan Gailey's offense which helped in his decision to pick the Jets over other offers. Although his knee injury might have affected his free-agent value, the running back can still improve and return to form during his one-year contract in New York. Ridley is a reliable power back who, data shows, works best between tackles.
Overall, New York might benefit much from acquiring Ridley. Although the acquisition is not as huge as signing Revis, Ridley might be able to up his stats again if given the opportunity to play more minutes. He will definitely merge well with Ivory and Powell. The Patriots have a reputation on rotating their backs, regardless of how promising Ridley was in 2012, which could have contributed to his dropped numbers the following year. If the Jets give him plays between the tackles and, given his interest in Gailey's offense, Ridley reportedly has a chance of upping his value and probably getting re-signed in 2016.