2021 NFL Draft: Where does Desmond Ridder fit in QB conversation?

Do not forget about Desmond Ridder in the 2021 NFL Draft quarterback conversation.

The 2021 NFL Draft class is stocked with arguably the best group of quarterback prospects in over a decade. Trevor Lawrence leads the way as the premier signal-caller in the class and he is the best quarterback prospect that we have seen in recent memory. Justin Fields has been fantastic this season and is not far behind Lawrence on the pecking order.

BYU quarterback Zach Wilson has made a massive rise this season and continues to get a ton of attention. Both Wilson and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance could easily join Lawrence and Fields as top five picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.

After that top four, guys like Florida’s Kyle Trask and Alabama’s Mac Jones get most of the attention. Both Trask and Jones are interesting players who could enter the first-round conversation, but Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder should be right in that mix as well.

Ridder is playing extremely well, leading Cincinnati to a 7-0 record to start the year. Ridder has completed 66.7% of his passes for 1,483 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has also carried the ball 53 times for 469 yards and nine touchdowns.

High ceiling, low floor

While Ridder still has some work to do as a passer, he has drastically improved this season. Ridder is playing much more under control, taking what the defense gives to him when the time calls for it. Ridder has the arm to fit the ball into tight spaces when needed, but it is great to see him learn that he does not always need to force it all of the time.

His combination of arm talent and athleticism gives Ridder an exciting ceiling at the next level. He lacks consistent accuracy as a passer and that is obviously a concern, but Ridder does show flashes of high-level ball placement. Getting him into a strong NFL system and giving him time to grow as a passer would be an ideal situation for Ridder. He is not ready to compete as a starting NFL quarterback, but he undoubtedly has the tools to eventually get there.

Ridder’s athleticism and mobility consistently stand out on the field. Cincinnati does not scheme a ton of runs for him, but he does a great job of improvising and creating plays with his legs when needed. In today’s NFL, a quarterback who can improvise is incredibly valuable. Pairing that ability with his athleticism and big arm is undoubtedly exciting.

Ridder should not be taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He is simply too much of a risk in that range. That being said, his raw talent and ability at the most important position in the game makes him a worthy investment on Day 2. Mac Jones and Kyle Trask will be safer prospects, but neither player has the same kind of ceiling as Ridder as a prospect.

If a team wants to take a shot on some upside at quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft, Ridder and his exciting dual-threat ability is the guy to target.