Confidence is a critical trait for young quarterbacks. It’s the hardest position to play in the NFL, and if a prospect has thin skin or doesn’t believe in himself, more often than not, he’ll wash out of the league.
That isn’t the case for Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, who’s been telling NFL teams that he plans on unseating a veteran this summer and starting as a rookie in 2022.
“I talked to a team who interviewed Ridder, who said that he had a plan outlined for how he was going to beat out a veteran in a training camp setting and become a starter in this league year one,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported.
Desmond Ridder is a name that’s buzzing in league circles. During team interviews, the QB made clear he plans to beat out a veteran in camp.
That, and Malik Willis’ first-round positioning, from @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/Tb6aMGwWsz
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 5, 2022
Ridder is in the mix to be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He isn’t mentioned by draft analysts nearly as much as Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett, but his traits as a passer and athlete have him trending in the right direction.
Ridder would make a lot of sense for the Detroit Lions at No. 32 overall, assuming they don’t take Willis with the second overall selection. Ridder is closer to being ready to start in the NFL than Willis is, and it isn’t particularly close. He’s nearly the athlete Willis is too. Ridder had the best athletic scores at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine (Willis only participated in the on-field drills).
Ridder currently ranks as PFD’s QB3 and 46th player overall. He could end the draft process with a higher ranking than that once we finalize our 2022 Big Board.
