Ted Nguyen: Desmond Ridder 'Looks Mentally Ready' to be NFL Starter

The rookie had a solid three-game showing for the Atlanta Falcons this preseason.

CINCINNATI — Desmond Ridder just wrapped up his first preseason with the Atlanta Falcons, and The Athletic's Ted Nguyen thinks he is already capable of starting.

"What I loved most about Ridder’s game at Cincinnati was his aggressive mentality," Nguyen wrote. "He patiently waited for routes to develop and made aggressive decisions from sound reads. In the preseason, those traits translated. He made tough downfield throws from the pocket."

Marcus Mariota is starting week one for Atlanta, but Nguyen isn't convinced he'll make sure Ridder doesn't get a shot.

"The Falcons seem set on starting Marcus Mariota in the season opener," Nguyen wrote. "But unless he is playing at a high level and the Falcons are winning, they’ll want to find out what they have in Ridder this season so they can make an informed decision on how to maneuver around next year’s draft. Ridder looks like he’s mentally ready to handle being an NFL starter."

Desmond Ridder this preseason:

▪️431 passing yards (7.7 YPA)
▪️11.4 aDOT (1st overall)
▪️3 passing TDs pic.twitter.com/XWIJLef6gl

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 30, 2022

The numbers match the tape as Ridder's pushed the ball downfield more than any QB and stayed efficient. We'll see how long the rope is for Mariota as the starter when things get rolling next Sunday.

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