Despite being viewed behind prospects like Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis and Matt Corral, Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder has an outside chance to be selected in the first-round.
When asked about which QB has the most to at the NFL combine, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. pointed to the Bearcats signal-caller.
“I think it’s Desmond Ridder from Cincinnati,” Kiper explained. “The Bearcats had that game against Alabama, that semifinal playoff game, where if he would’ve played well, he could’ve been QB1, maybe QB2. Now, he’s battling to be QB4 or 5, and pushing into the second round, not the first round.”
Ridder led Cincinnati to perhaps the unlikeliest College Football Playoff berth since its inception. A four-year starter, Ridder tallied over 10,000 yards passing, 87 touchdowns and 28 picks.
I’m not breaking any ground here in a weak QB class…
but Desmond Ridder is the only QB I’d draft this year with the realistic expectation of him starting early on as a rookie
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) February 21, 2022
The 22-year-old was outstanding for a good deal of the 2021 season. However, when he was forced to face higher-level competition, Ridder had his share of struggles.
“Inconsistent accuracy against Alabama at 53%, Notre Dame 59%, Indiana 56%, overall 65%, but that was against lesser competition,” Kiper continued. “So I think the Alabama game in particular was the game that really hurt Ridder.”
The longtime analyst thinks a great couple months leading up to the draft could really change things for Ridder.
“He needs to rebound during the process over the next couple of months, and maybe become the fourth quarterback taken, maybe ahead of Sam Howell out of North Carolina. We’ll have to see how that plays out. Best case scenario I think right now would be second round.”