The concept of Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder as a future NFL superstar exists somewhere between the defense lining up pre-snap and the moment the ball leaves his hand. That’s where he’s at his best.
Ridder is this year’s most refined and technical draft-eligible quarterback from his pre-snap to post-snap processing, his dropback footwork and his pocket movement. He’s the type of prospect that — in a just world — would turn into a top NFL signal-caller. Sadly, the world of quarterback evaluation and quarterback play is cruel, barbarous and wicked. And it makes Ridder’s floor and ceiling unclear.
Click here for more PFF tools:
Draft Guide & Big Board | Mock Draft Simulator
Dynasty Rankings & Projections | Free Agent Rankings | 2022 QB Annual
Player Grades
Ridder is your favorite quarterback’s favorite quarterback. He’s a quarterback coach’s dream. He joined Cincinnati as a three-star prospect and the 1,657th ranked player in the country, according to 247 Sports, and since then it’s been a journey of improvement every season, culminating in him leading the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff in 2021. You can see all the drill work that every quarterback coach in football at any level of the sport teaches on a daily basis on Ridder’s tape. He could be studied for future generations. That’s how good his technique is.
His timing is the best in the class. His decision-making is the best in the class. He shows an ability to adapt his footwork during the play that not many other quarterbacks can do. He’s calm in the pocket as he lets his feet take him to the different route progression on each concept. He stays on time even with pressure. His footwork aims him in the right direction every time.
Take this throw against Miami (OH) in 2021:
The Bearcats have a “drive” concept called. The core part of the call is between the right outside receiver running a post, the right slot receiver running a basic and the left slot running the shallow cross. The quarterback has the opportunity to forego the concept and throw the out route to the left outside receiver if he feels he is getting an advantageous look pre-snap and then post-snap, which he does.
Get the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit for FREE
with annual plan
DRAFT KIT: NEW Unlimited League Sync
DRAFT KIT: NEW Live Draft Assistant powered by AI & PFF Data
DRAFT KIT: NEW Mock Draft Sim customized for your league
DRAFT KIT: NEW Expert Strategy & Player Data Deep Dive Content
DRAFT KIT: Customizable Cheat Sheets, Rankings, and Projections
DRAFT KIT: Dynasty, Best Ball, and IDP Expert Rankings
Nathan Jahnkes Rankings - #1 Most Accurate Last 70 Weeks
NEW Line-up Optimizer with Start/Sit and Waiver Wire recommendations
WR-CB and OL-DL Matchup Tools with PFF Player Grades
Player Utilization Report and Offensive Line rankings and data
Best Bets, Player Props and Futures betting tools
NFL Mock Draft Sim, PFF Grades & NFL/NCAA Premium Stats 2.0
Already have a subscription? Log In
© 2023 PFF - all rights reserved.