2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Desmond Ridder
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Cincinnati
- Height: 6'4"
- Weight: 215lbs
Film Watched: Notre Dame 2021, Georgia 2020, SMU 2020
Pro's:
- 4 year starter at Cincinnati with a high level of production every year under center
- Well respected locker room leader who commands respect and improves those around him
- Ideal height for an NFL quarterback
- Baller – consistently raised his level of performance in big moments (Georgia, Notre Dame)
- More than enough arm strength for the next level, can hit every level of the field
- Elite field vision; understands route concepts and shows good timing & anticipation on throws
- Reads the line of scrimmage as well as any QB in this class; the master of RPO’s
- True dual-threat QB – can take off and use his legs, either on scripted runs or breaking contain
Desmond Ridder is a QB prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.8 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 18 out of 831 QB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/xc4lrKVVko #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/XT9Ylcjc9P
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 4, 2022
Con's:
- Evidence of poor decision making under duress or when defense disguises their intentions
- Occasions where internal clock is a tick too slow; gets caught waiting for a play to open up
- A little deliberate through his progressions & needs to come off 1st & 2nd reads quicker
- Footwork, mechanics and touch all improved throughout career but still a work in progress
The Verdict:
“Desmond Ridder is a quarterback that inspires teammates to greater things, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest that Cincinnati would never have gatecrashed the College Football Playoffs without him under center. A coach’s dream, Ridder will soak up everything given to him, and rolls into every contest prepared for what the opponent is about to throw at him. There are limitations; NFL teams will be best served narrowing his decision-making in the pocket with a bespoke, run-heavy offense that incorporates plenty of RPO concepts. Ridder is going to encounter adversity as a day-one starter and his ceiling might not match others in this draft class, but he’ll be in the league a long time and is a sure-fire day two pick - at least.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: DONOVAN McNABB
PREDICTION: SECOND ROUND PICK
5/5