Desmond Ridder 2022 NFL Draft Profile

The 2022 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Desmond Ridder 2022 NFL Draft Profile.

Desmond Ridder Background

Position: Quarterback

Size: 6-foot-4, 215 pounds

Class: Senior

2021 stats: 3,334 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 64.9 percent completion, 8.6 yards per attempt, 355 rushing yards, 6 rushing touchdowns

Ridder helped take Cincinnati’s program to new heights over his four years at quarterback. He is now leaving the school to pursue his professional career.

Out of high school, Ridder was a three-star recruit who decided to sign on with the Bearcats. After redshirting his first year on campus, Ridder stepped into the starting role with 2,445 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions on 62.4 percent completion. The Bearcats improved to 11 wins and won their bowl game after winning four games the previous season. Ridder didn’t really progress statistically as a redshirt sophomore, throwing for 2,164 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 55.1 percent completion. He led the Bearcats to another 11-win season and a second-straight bowl victory. In a COVID shortened 2020, Ridder passed for 2,296 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions, as he led the Bearcats to the Peach Bowl. For his final season on campus, Ridder showed improvement with 3,334 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 64.9 percent completion. His play made him one of the winningest quarterbacks in college football history and helped lead his team to the College Football Playoff in his last season.

Following the Bearcats’ appearance in the CFP, Ridder declared for the draft. He is currently projected to be a first to third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Desmond Ridder Strengths

Ridder’s greatest strength is his ability to run the ball and play out of structure. He isn’t quite on the level of Lamar Jackson in terms of elusiveness, but Ridder has long strides and has shown the ability to pick up a lot of yardage with his legs. His ability to make plays outside of the pocket and keep his eyes down the field before tucking and running keeps defenses honest.

He has solid arm strength as well. Ridder can throw his fair share of deep balls, but more importantly, he can put some zips on his passes. This allows him to fit the ball into tight windows and also helps him avoid leaving the ball vulnerable to being intercepted.

While he sometimes has trouble recognizing pressure, when it comes, Ridder is relatively poised. He knows he can use his feet to buy himself extra time and he also isn’t afraid to stand in the pocket and take a hit. Ridder doesn’t appear to be easily rattled.

Desmond Ridder Weaknesses

Ridder improved his accuracy over his career at Cincinnati, but there is still work to be done. He misses on deep balls a lot, whether that’s leaving it too short, wide or long. On short and intermediate passes, he misses receivers too often and when he does complete passes, he doesn’t do a great job of setting them up for success after the catch.

A lot of times Ridder can lock on one receiver instead of going through his progressions. This led to turnovers and batted balls at the line of scrimmage. Ridder needs to be patient and go through his progressions more routinely, as he has shown he can do it on an inconsistent basis.

His mechanics can also be improved. Ridder has a small windup when throwing the ball. He also has to clean up his footwork, as his base can get too wide. Ridder needs to work on getting his throws lined up and doing so well likely help his accuracy.

Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Third Round Pick

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