Detroit Lions 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Setting The Foundation
By Kyle Edmond
Detroit Lions 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick 32
Cincinnati. Desmond Ridder. 32. 830. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. player
Holding the last pick of the first round, the Detroit Lions are in perfect position to grab a quarterback that might need to sit for a year. Jared Goff is still in place as the starter and his contract will keep him there for at least the 2022 season. Taking a quarterback here doesn’t apply any pressure to start right away and still gets the coveted fifth year option.
Guessing which quarterbacks will be available here is what is tricky. Malik Willis should be off the board by now, but beyond that it’s anyone’s best guess. For the Lions, Desmond Ridder could be their best option.
Ridder has a ton of experience at the collegiate level and showed improvement each season, with his biggest leap coming in 2021. He never threw double-digit interceptions in a season, but to the same point he broke 3,000 passing yards just once, which could be due to a lack of arm strength on deep balls.
Taking Ridder here allows him time to adjust to the NFL and gives Detroit a long-term option under center. There’s things to clean up, but his potential as a mobile quarterback is intriguing. Unless a team is offering the bank to get this pick, the Lions need to stay put and take their future franchise quarterback.