RADIO
Desmond Ridder 2022 NFL Player Outlook: High-Upside With Low Price
2 years agoRookie quarterback Desmond Ridder was drafted in the third round, 74th overall, by the Atlanta Falcons. The 22-year-old was a four-year starter in Cincinnati. He finished his collegiate career, completing 62.1% of his passes for 10,239 yards, 87 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions. He also rushed for 2,108 rushing yards on 501 attempts and 28 scores. His ceiling is higher in dynasty leagues as he will get the opportunity to grow with tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London, not a bevy of weapons but adequate. This season he will presumably start on the bench playing behind game one starter journeyman Marcus Mariota. Per FantasyPros, he has an ADP #262. His ADP in Underdog best ball leagues is in the 18th and final round as QB36. Atlanta's offense currently looks bleak. In addition to Pitts and London, there is last year's surprise Cordarrelle Patterson, running back Damien Williams, and wide receivers Bryan Edwards and Olamide Zaccheaus. Although Mariota will start, Ridder will likely get the opportunity under center sooner rather than later. The third-round pick is a legitimate dual-threat option. In addition to his 355 rushing yards last season, he added six rushing touchdowns. He also had 73 passing attempts for 20-plus Air Yards (one less than Pittsburgh Steelers' first-round selection Kenny Pickett). He totaled five career interceptions over 148 red zone pass attempts, and 1,118 yards came on deep passes. While the knock-on Ridder is his accuracy and elongated passing motion, he had 26 career batted passes, with eight last year and four coming from Alabama. Both can be corrected. What could be more worrisome and cap his ceiling is the perceived level of competition in college, as Cincinnati only played three games against teams in the top 25. His won-loss record versus the three was a respectable 2-1, losing against Alabama while beating both Notre Dame and Houston. In 2021, he owned a 64.99% completion with 3,334 yards, averaging 8.6 yards per attempt while throwing 30 passing touchdowns across 14 games. Ridder versus top 25 teams held a 58% completion for 631 yards while averaging 7.3 yards per attempt and five passing touchdowns across three contests. In this year's redraft, Superflex or two-quarterback leagues grabbing Ridder in the later rounds is a good option. In dynasty leagues, grab him as early as the second round. He is a proven winner with the arm strength and running resume you want in your fantasy quarterbacks.
