Panthers 2022 draft scouting report: Desmond Ridder is a riddle
By Luke Gray
Could the Carolina Panthers finally add a viable quarterback to its roster and acquire additional picks if they select Desmond Ridder in the 2022 NFL Draft?
With just a matter of weeks to go until the showpiece of the NFL offseason, the Carolina Panthers are still in quarterback limbo. With just Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker under contract and clearly not starting-caliber, changes are needed if the organization wants to improve on the 5-12 record they had in 2021.
Despite not being a loaded quarterback class as we’ve seen in years past, there is still some undeniable talent within the group. It seems from the way Scott Fitterer has spoken that the Panthers are considering Malik Willis, but it’s possible that the Liberty product is gone by No. 6 and if Ikem Ekwonu and Evan Neal are also off the board, it leaves Carolina in a dilemma.
Do they go with someone like Sauce Gardener or Kyle Hamilton? Do they gamble on Kenny Pickett? Or do they trade back and acquire some coveted Day 2 picks?
If they decide on the latter, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder could be a name to consider either in the late first or early second-round stage.
Arguably either Ridder or Matt Corral had the best college career. He was a four-year starter for the Bearcats and played a significant role in his team’s memorable rise to the college football playoffs.
Judging by the Panthers’ turnout at Ridder’s pro day, the interest in the Kentucky native isn’t the highest. After sending the full cohort of bigwigs to view Corral, Willis, and Pickett, only vice president of player personnel Pat Stewart, senior personnel executive Jeff Morrow and scout Joel Patten attended.
However, it’s worth remembering that the likes of Fitterer and Matt Rhule spent a week watching Ridder at the 2022 Senior Bowl. So it’s important to keep these things in context with the rumor mill swirling.
After a look at some film, let’s get into a breakdown of Ridder and what he could offer the Panthers.