This series was created in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”
Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
Late in the 2022 NFL Draft process, there were more projections of Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder going late in the first round. Ridder spent the previous four years as a solid quarterback for Cincinnati, leading the program all the way to the college football playoff in 2021. Ridder started as a freshman, completing 62.4 percent of his passes for 2,445 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. His production dipped as a sophmore, completing 55 percent of his passes for 2,164 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He then played better as a junior, completing 66 percent for 2,296 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. Ridder put together his best season as senior by completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 3,334 yards, 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
At the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, Ridder put on a phenomenal workout that illustrated his size, speed and athleticism. He also interviewed well with teams, making a good impression on coaches and general managers. Ridder’s success at the combine encouraged more projections of Ridder sneaking into the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he ended up sliding to Round 3.
Team sources told WalterFootball.com they had mid-round grades on Ridder and viewed him as a backup. They did not see a true slide for Ridder because they believe the third round is appropriate time to land a backup quarterback.
The Atlanta Falcons ended Ridder’s fall in the third round. The organization was a great landing spot for him. The Falcons traded away Matt Ryan in the offseason and do not have long-term starter ahead of Ridder. In the short term, Ridder is a good project for head coach Arthur Smith to develop behind Marcus Mariota. Ridder won’t be pressed to play right away, so he can learn while receiving practice reps behind Marioa. However, Mariota has been inconsistent in his career and has also dealt with injuries, so it would not be surprising if Ridder sees the field at some point during his rookie season. If Ridder improves and plays well, he could end up as the Falcons’ long-term starter. Ridder has a huge opportunity in Atlanta.
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