Steelers NFL Draft Series: QB Desmond Ridder
Story by Yinzer Crazy Co-Founder Mike Nicastro. Follow him on Twitter @MikedUpSports1
Welcome back to the RETURN of our NFL Draft Series, where I’ll profile a prospect who I believe is a candidate to be selected by the Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft. These profiles won't be as lengthy or as detailed as some competitors (who quite frankly kick butt at it). They are meant to be consumed in 10 minutes or so. Off we go.
It’s no secret anymore that Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin have been laser-focused on quarterback prospects at the Senior Bowl this past week in Mobile. There are two reasons that stick out as to why:
1. The Joe Burrow-effect has AFC North teams on high alert. It’s pretty simple - if you don’t have a face of the franchise QB, you’re dead.
2. The Steelers have consistently shown little faith in Mason Rudolph.
Following the Ben Roethlisberger retirement announcement, the black and gold are left with Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins and Josh Dobbs on their roster. None of those dudes are beating Burrow in the next decade. It’s very possible that one serves as a “bridge” QB, while a player like Malik Willis or Carson Strong is given time to digest the playbook, his surroundings, etc. However, I could see a reincarnation of a Tommy Maddox-like situation, where a rookie overtakes the “bridge” QB early in the season – and never gives the role back.
Unfortunately for the Steelers, I think this is a relatively weak QB class. But that is a bit of a double-edged sword. There is no stand out top 5 pick, and some may argue that there is no standout top 10 pick. That could bode well for the Steelers because they pick at 20, so if they fall in love with a few guys, it’s likely one would be available at their draft slot.
While all the hoopla from Mobile has surrounded Liberty QB Malik Willis thus far, I wanted to take a look at a more decorated prospect who the Steelers have officially met with: Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder.
For 18 weeks of this past season I listened to Mike Tomlin pining for a mobile QB in his weekly pressers. When you take a look around the NFL, it’s evident that sprightly QB’s are fully en vogue. Just take a look at the AFC for example: Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are the class of the conference. All have the ability to extend plays outside of the pocket.
With 28 career rushing touchdowns at Cincy, Ridder certainly checks that box in the second play here:
Desmond Ridder showing off his athletic ability here
— The Podfather (@TheBurgundyZone) January 27, 2022
Defense rushes 5, including the MLB. When Ridder sees the C block him to the left, he runs up the middle of the field for a 20+ yard gain.
Doesn’t happen often but shows his situational awareness is there pic.twitter.com/oTkFd4qoSB
He has some Colin Kaepernick to his game, as he combines his athleticism with the fact that he is tall and rangy. Clocking in at 6’4, he’s the tallest player out of who are generally considered the top of the class (Kenny Pickett, 6’3, Malik Willis, 6’1, Sam Howell, 6’1, Matt Corral 6 '1). However, he will need to add weight to his frame - as he’s only listed at around 210 pounds. Especially if he's going to play in AFC North conditions.
Another reason to be partial to Ridder is he has an absolute cannon. He threw the farthest pass by air distance at Senior Bowl practices so far, with a 62.5 yard bomb in tough conditions. That was also consistently on display at Cincinnati:
This is how you throw your first pass of the 2021 season. Desmond Ridder pic.twitter.com/SvBsn23bjm
— 𝙰𝚗𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚠 𝙻𝚎𝚎𝚑𝚢 (@DoOrDieNasty) September 4, 2021
Here’s the kicker: a big part of the reason why he isn’t being talked about as a mid-1st round prospect is because of the other team in that highlight video (Miami OH). Although Ridder did face off against Notre Dame and Alabama last season, here were the rest of his opponents:
Miami (OH), Murray State, Indiana, Temple, UCF, Navy, Tulane, Tulsa, USF, and SMU. Not exactly the cream of the crop.
For what it’s worth, Ridder fared well against Notre Dame, posting a line of 19-32 for 297 yards and 2 TD’s, while also rushing for another. Against Alabama, Ridder went 17-32 for 144 yards - good for a QB rating of 28.3. To be fair, Alabama pretty much does that to every opposing QB.
So what does all of that mean? Well, his competition is certainly going to see a significant uptick in his transition to the NFL. His pocket presence will need to improve, as well as his decision making -- especially because he won’t have 8 seconds to sit in the pocket before choosing where to go with the football, like he often did at Cincy.
Here is what Ridder is likely to face:
Desmond Ridder had 3.0 seconds before contact arrived. He’s learning how to feel the rush on a dropback from under center, and this is an example of how it can be a struggle at times. pic.twitter.com/IIE9T5h8fl
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) February 2, 2022
It’s going to take some time for him to acclimate, so a year holding a clipboard could be the best route.
Why he fits the Steelers:
Ridder’s escapability (one of my favorite “football” terms”) is superior to most. That simply is a must in today’s league. The franchise has also always been privy to tall quarterbacks. From Ben Roethlisberger, to Mason Rudolph, Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch - etc. They may also feel comfortable with more of a developmental guy so they can use Rudolph the same way the 49ers used Jimmy Garoppolo this past season after drafting Trey Lance.
Why he doesn’t fit the Steelers:
At this point in the game, he’s probably a fringe first round draft pick. With a team that has so many needs (OL, DL, LB, CB), it’s hard to make sense out of them reaching on a QB, unless they are absolutely in love with him. I’m not sure that they would be in love with Ridder to that extent.
Even though the last QB they drafted out of Ohio turned out to be alright.
I’ll be doing these snippets all the way up until the NFL Draft in April. And I’ll have some fun surprises for you along the way.
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