The long wait for the second quarterback to be taken off the board is finally over as the Falcons selected Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder in the third round with the No. 74 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. 
Ridder has produced every season as a four-year starter saving his best year for last. While he reduced his running a bit this past year, he’s shown his abilities in past seasons racking up 650 yards in 2019 and 12 rushing touchdowns in 2020. Perhaps most importantly, Ridder knows how to win, achieving a 44-7 record in four years as a Bearcat.
Ridder comes to a Falcons team that is looking forward to the next era at quarterback. After 13 years with Matt Ryan at the helm, the only players awaiting Ridder’s competition in the quarterbacks room in Atlanta are Marcus Mariota and Feleipe Franks.
Despite not being picked until the third round, Ridder has a very real chance to win the starting job behind center for the Falcons. With weapons like Kyle Pitts and newly drafted Drake London at his disposal, Ridder could see some early rookie fireworks lead to a long-term starting gig.
I mean…. I think he’s a solid backup and if MM goes down this year, he’ll perform decently enough to help us survive the year. Can’t really complain about picking him here, but the other picks so far… now those are classic falcons picks smh
Other than uninformed, whimsical opinion, why do you see him only as a solid backup.
Cincinnati didn’t play a tough schedule and he looked bad against Alabama. Apparently most of the NFL teams thought backup too because with a few exceptions, nobody picks their franchise quarterback in the 3rd round on purpose. I guarantee you Wilson, Brady and Prescott were not expected to be franchise quarterbacks. He may surprise. Some do
You got me there Brownsbacker9. You made several great points. Thank you
They better draft Dean … I can’t believe he’s still on the board. DRAFT DEAN!!! Stop the anti Uga hate falcons and draft a guy who should have been a 1st round pick! Omg