5 NFL suspensions that make Deshaun Watson's six-game ban look lenient ft. Calvin Ridley and Ben Roethlisberger

#3 - Jonathan Vilma

New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma

The New Orleans Saints were found guilty of one of the most notorious scandals in NFL history, known as Bountygate. Their coaching staff offered rewards to defensive players for causing injuries to opposing players and knocking them out of games.

Saints head coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams were each suspended for the entire 2012 NFL season due to the scheme. The NFL also issued a full-year suspension for Saints defensive captain Jonathan Vilma. His 16 game initial sentence is significantly more than Deshaun Watson's.

#4 - Calvin Ridley

Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley

Calvin Ridley is the most recent player to receive a lengthy suspension from the NFL. He was found to have placed two separate bets on NFL games totaling $1,500. He did not play in either of those two games, as he was taking time away from football.

Players are prohibited from gambling on NFL games in an effort to completely protect the integrity of the outcome of those games. Regardless of whether or not they are competing in that particular game. The league suspended Ridley for a full 17 game season, nearly triple what Deshaun Watson was given.

#5 - Darren Waller

Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller

Leading up to Darren Waller's second NFL season in 2016, he failed two separate drug tests, violating the league's substance abuse policy. The first failure earned him a four-game suspension, which was then increased to a full 16 game season with the second violation.

A suspension was necessary for violating the league's substance abuse policy. However, it seems a bit off that Waller received such a harsher penalty than Deshaun Watson.