Panthers 2022 draft scouting report: Desmond Ridder is a riddle

How would Desmond Ridder fit on the Carolina Panthers?

• Development quarterback, potential starter by Week 10

With the current state of the quarterback room where the Carolina Panthers are concerned, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Desmond Ridder doesn’t end the season as the team’s starter. Sam Darnold is that bad, he may even lose the preseason quarterback battle to the rookie in training camp.

However, expecting Ridder to come into a starting berth from Week 1 and change the fortunes of the franchise would be foolish. While he was good in college, the player has a lot of work to do before he is ready to step up to the next level.

Ideally, you’d allow Ridder to sit behind a competent veteran bridge quarterback for a year and let him battle for the starting spot in 2023. However, the Panthers don’t have the luxury of a veteran signal-caller, and head coach Matt Rhule does not have the time to draft anybody that cannot make an immediate impact.

One thing Ridder could benefit from in Carolina is Ben McAdoo’s new offense. Rhule has already spoken of his desire for the Panthers to be a downhill running team, something that could help ease the quarterback’s transition in this scenario.

The fact that a lot of McAdoo’s offense with the New York Giants incorporated a lot of quick throws in the short to the intermediate area could be a good way to help Ridder iron out some of his accuracy issues.

Keeping Christian McCaffery healthy is key for the development of someone like Ridder as a top-level running back will take a great deal of pressure off his shoulders.

To be clear, drafting Ridder at No. 6 overall is a total no. But if the top tackles and potentially Malik Willis are off the board and the Panthers do decide to trade back, then he is an option who they may turn towards.