The NFL Draft always has some unknowns heading into it. In this year’s draft class, it is anyone’s guess where the quarterbacks are going to go. The 2022 class isn’t considered to be a very strong one at the position, but there could still be up to five of them selected in the first round. Desmond One of the prospects hoping to hear his name called as early as possible is Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback, Desmond Ridder.
Ridder was a four-year starter for the Bearcats and improved his production each season.
He earned a career-high grade of 90.7 in 2021, helping lead the Bearcats into the College Football Playoff. Ridder completed 64.9 percent of his passes on the season, throwing for 3,334 yards and 30 touchdowns to only eight interceptions. Possessing dual-threat ability, Ridder also racked up 2,180 yards on the ground, adding another 28 scores.
All it takes is for one team to fall in love with a prospect to get their name called in the draft. Who might be the team to fall in love with Ridder? Here are five of the best potential landing spots for the Cincinnati signal-caller in the 2022 NFL Draft.
5. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons put themselves in a prime position to select a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft after trading Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts. What makes them an ideal landing spot is that they already have a stopgap option in place, signing Marcus Mariota in free agency.
That will provide any quarterback they may select the chance to sit on the bench for at least one season, learning what it takes to be an NFL quarterback and developing their skills. That is something that could benefit a player of Desmond Ridder’s caliber.
Atlanta falls this low on the list because they are currently lacking weapons to help a young quarterback. This isn’t an ideal landing spot with second-year tight end Kyle Pitts and running back/wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson being the best weapons in place. A suspect offensive line also needs improvements.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a team pegged as a possible landing spot for the top prospects in this year’s draft class. None of the moves they have made thus far this offseason, including the signing of Mitchell Trubisky, has done anything to dispel that chatter.
Set up to contend as early as this season, the Steelers would be a solid landing spot for a rookie in this year’s class. However, they are a team to keep an eye on in the Baker Mayfield saga, as Pittsburgh would reportedly “pounce” at the chance to sign him.
Waiting on a resolution there likely takes the Steelers out of the running for the top prospects in this year’s class. Trubisky was signed to compete with Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins. But, if Mayfield ends up elsewhere, the Steelers could be back in the mix for a quarterback in the first or second round.
3. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks traded away franchise cornerstone Russell Wilson this offseason to the Denver Broncos. That makes them a prime candidate to select a quarterback at some point in this year’s draft unless they are sold on Drew Lock as their quarterback of the future.
That is unlikely, so be on the watch for any of the quarterbacks to Seattle. With picks No. 9, 40 and 41, it would not be shocking to see them use one of those selections on a quarterback. For Desmond Ridder, this would be a solid landing spot.
Seattle is a team not far from contending, so a young quarterback will be surrounded by some solid talent. Having D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to throw the ball to with Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny leading the rushing game is something any quarterback would love to have.
2. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints came into the 2022 offseason with a lot of salary cap issues. They were nearly $74 million over the salary cap, which means they had a lot of work to do to get under the cap.
It has led to plenty of salary restructures and players being lost in free agency. Their biggest long-term question mark, however, is the quarterback position. They re-signed Jameis Winston to a two-year deal, so he will hold down the fort for at least the 2022 season when he is healthy. Beyond that, the job could be up for grabs.
Having a veteran that can play while they rebuild the roster is ideal. Adding a high-upside player such as Ridder to the mix would give him at least one if not two seasons to develop before being in the mix to start. With a roster in need of help at numerous spots, sitting for a season or two before things are back in order isn’t a bad situation for a young quarterback to be in.
1. Detroit Lions
The first round of the 2022 NFL Draft will be nearly bookended by the Detroit Lions. They own the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and No. 32, the final pick of the round.
There is a chance that they take their choice of the quarterback prospects at No. 2 overall, but it could be hard to pass up on one of the highly touted pass rushers or defensive backs at that spot. A trade down is always a possibility for a team in the early stages of a rebuild such as the Lions.
The No. 32 pick is where Ridder could come into play for Detroit. That fifth-year option is something teams like to have on quarterbacks and it is only available on first-round picks. It would be a slight surprise if a quarterback isn’t used in that position.
Jared Goff isn’t the long-term answer in the Motor City, but he is a solid stopgap. Detroit has some promising offensive weapons in tight end T.J. Hockenson, running back DeAndre Swift and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. With young building blocks at both tackle spots, a young quarterback to grow with them is all that is missing.
