Desmond Ridder
24-Year-Old
2023 Pass/Rush Stats
YDS
2836
TD
12
INT
12
YDS
193
TD
5
2024 Projections
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Ridder started the final four games of 2022 but didn’t turn many heads -- it took until the last game before he threw a TD pass and his 6.2 YPA was 41st of 47 QBs with at least 100 attempts. In his defense, Ridder had little talent at his disposal. Tight end Kyle Pitts was lost for the season weeks earlier, and other than impressive rookie wideout Drake London, the best option was Olamide Zaccheaus. Ridder committed only two turnovers (both lost fumbles), but in addition to the feeble passing stats he averaged only 4.0 carries for 16.0 yards per game without any TDs, making him unreliable for a rushing fantasy boost. The Falcons added insurance in Taylor Heinicke, but they're saying it’s Ridder’s job to lose. Pitts is expected to return healthy, but after him and London they settled for the middling duo of Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller to replace Zaccheaus (now with Philadelphia). Moreover, the Falcons drafted RB Bijan Robinson eighth overall this year, teaming him with Tyler Allgeier in an Arthur Smith-directed offense that was second in run percentage last season (55.3). Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Dealt to Cardinals
The Falcons are trading Ridder to Arizona in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Ridder gets a chance to start fresh after Atlanta opted to ink Kirk Cousins (Achilles) to a massive four-year contract, and he becomes the favorite to back up Kyler Murray for the Cardinals. The team also has 2023 fifth-round pick Clayton Tune available, and further competition could be added this offseason, but Ridder boasts enough experience to step up in emergency circumstances. Across 15 appearances last season, he completed 249 of 388 passes for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Ridder gets a chance to start fresh after Atlanta opted to ink Kirk Cousins (Achilles) to a massive four-year contract, and he becomes the favorite to back up Kyler Murray for the Cardinals. The team also has 2023 fifth-round pick Clayton Tune available, and further competition could be added this offseason, but Ridder boasts enough experience to step up in emergency circumstances. Across 15 appearances last season, he completed 249 of 388 passes for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Desmond Ridder's 2023 advanced stats compare to other quarterbacks?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Bad Pass %
19.1%Avg Target Depth
8.3 YdsSack Rate
7.4%Avg Receiver YAC
5.1 YdsReceiver Drop %
4.9%Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
2023
2022
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
2023 Desmond Ridder Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Desmond Ridder's measurables compare to other quarterbacks?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 3"Weight
207 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.52 secShuttle Time
4.29 secCone Drill
7.15 secVertical Jump
36.0 inBroad Jump
127 inHand Length
10.00 inArm Length
32.75 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Inside track to No. 2 job?
Ridder, who was traded to the Cardinals from the Falcons on Thursday per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com, could have an inside track to the No. 2 job behind Kyler Murray.
ANALYSIS
Ridder essentially became expendable in Atlanta after the Falcons inked Kirk Cousins to a lucrative four-year deal, and he'll now have an opportunity for an early-career reset in Arizona. Ridder won't have the pressure of having to prove his worth as a starter with Murray firmly in possession of the top job, but the trade acquisition shouldn't have too much difficulty beating out the unproven Clayton Tune, who struggled during his brief appearances as a rookie in 2023, for the top backup role.
Ridder essentially became expendable in Atlanta after the Falcons inked Kirk Cousins to a lucrative four-year deal, and he'll now have an opportunity for an early-career reset in Arizona. Ridder won't have the pressure of having to prove his worth as a starter with Murray firmly in possession of the top job, but the trade acquisition shouldn't have too much difficulty beating out the unproven Clayton Tune, who struggled during his brief appearances as a rookie in 2023, for the top backup role.
2022 Fantasy Outlook
A four-year college starter and a third-round pick in this year’s draft, Ridder is expected to
compete with Marcus Mariota for the starting job. Mariota is the favorite, thanks to his
experience and knowledge of the offense, having previously played for coach Arthur Smith in
Tennessee. Ridder looks more like a work in progress. His arm is only average, and his ball
placement and accuracy need work. With 4.52 speed, Ridder is plenty mobile to keep plays
alive, but he isn't especially elusive and had modest rushing stats last year at Cincinnati. If he
does win the job, Ridder won’t have much to work with. Tight end Kyle Pitts is the only proven
threat, and the team’s No. 1 wide receiver is a rookie (albeit a first-round pick in Drake London).
What’s more, the offensive line may start the same five guys that allowed the second-highest
QB pressure rate in the league last year. Ridder won't have it easy if he plays as a rookie.
More Fantasy News
Could be on the move
The Falcons are expected to trade Ridder following the signing of Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract worth up to $180 million, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
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Sliding into backup role
Ridder figures to be relegated to a backup role with the Falcons set to sign Kirk Cousins, per the team's official website.
ANALYSIS
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Encouraging performance in finale
Ridder completed 22 of 30 passes for 291 yards with two touchdowns and one interception and netted no gain on two carries in the Falcons' 48-17 loss to the Saints on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.
ANALYSIS
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Will start Week 18
Ridder will serve as Atlanta's starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Saints, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Loses grip on starting gig
Ridder will be replaced by Taylor Heinicke as Atlanta's starting quarterback Sunday versus the Colts, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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