Rookie Scouting Profile: QB Desmond Ridder

Desmond Ridder (QB) Cincinnati

Height	Weight	40-Time	DOB	NFL Draft	Dynasty ADP	NFL Comp
6-3	211	4.49	08/31/1999	Day 2	early 3rd	Ryan Tannehill

College Production

Named All-Metro out of St. Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky, signed letter of intent and redshirted for Cincinnati in 2017. Named the starter in 2018, passed for 2,445 yards and 20 touchdowns, and led the Bearcats to a 35-31 victory over Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl, and was named AAC Rookie of the Year. Broke out in 2020, earning All-AAC First Team and AAC Offensive Player of the Year honors and was named MVP of the 2020 Birmingham Bowl. Capped off his college career with a phenomenal senior campaign of 3,334 yards, 30 TDs and led the Bearcats to the college football playoffs for the first time.

Strengths

• Dual-threat talent who has well-developed mechanics, a strong arm, and is more than capable of making plays with his legs.

• Outstanding leader and field general. Interprets defenses well and shows a ton of poise and ability to process downfield reads. Strong work ethic.

• Superb athlete. Led all QBs at the Combine with a 36-inch vert and 10-7 broad jump.

• Strong accuracy, particularly on short and intermediate throws.

• Above-average decision-making.

Weaknesses

• Downfield accuracy and power tends to waver.

• Struggled in national semi-finals loss to Alabama.

• Needs to process reads faster and learn to place proactive throws to receivers.

• Is likely to need a redshirt NFL season.

Fantasy Outlook

There’s a lot to like about Ridder’s dual-threat capabilities in today’s wide-open NFL. He has the mechanics to be a solid pocket passer but also offers the athleticism and size to be a potent threat in a run/pass option scheme. In Superflex formats, that running ability makes Ridder an interesting pick in the first half of Round 2 and there’s enough to like about his long-term upside to warrant late-round dynasty attention.

On The Clock

Ridder is currently being targeted in the third round of rookie-only drafts. That range is about right for an athlete that has plenty of potential but may need time to develop. The NFL Draft will paint a picture of where we should value Ridder, depending on where’s he’s selected as opposed to Carson Strong and Sam Howell.