How each top 2022 quarterback prospect could impact the Vikings

Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati)

Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder has done everything he has been asked to do since taking the starting job for the Bearcats. The majority of his plays early on were made with his legs but he has certainly developed into a much better passer over the past two seasons.

Ridder is going to have a long career in the NFL because he can extend plays in the pocket and in the running game while setting himself up for deep shots. Ball placement and velocity remain the only real knocks on Ridder’s game at this point, and those are very much concerning as he prepares for an NFL future.

He has a tendency of letting balls sputter out of his hand and really struggles with consistency down the field. If those are cleaned up, Ridder is going to be a problem. If not, he may be a career backup with a consistent role as a running threat.

For Minnesota, Ridder is exactly the type of quarterback I would not want to bet the farm on. They are potentially coming off a quarterback that did not elevate their ceiling and replacing him with another guy who may not be a serious threat as a passer is not going to make anyone happy.

Sure, adding a running dimension from the quarterback spot would be exciting but Ridder is nowhere near the running talent as Malik Willis, Kyler Murray, or Lamar Jackson. He would have to hit his ceiling as a passer to make up some of that ground and I am not sold he will do that.