Falcons QB Desmond Ridder Due for Second-Year Jump?

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder threw for 708 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie campaign last season.

The Atlanta Falcons roster one of the youngest offenses in the entire NFL. 

According to The 33rd Team, Atlanta ranks within the top-five of most youthful wide receivers (24.13) and offensive line (25.23) groups. 

Now with 23-year-old Desmond Ridder behind center, the Falcons will likely bolster one of the youngest quarterbacks in the entire league as well.

And despite only suiting up in four games last season, CBS Sports is confident in the second-year quarterback to make a leap entering his first season as a full-time starter. 

"Atlanta also quietly boasts one of the NFL's most reliable offensive lines," CBS Sports writes. "Ridder has a fair amount of arm talent and tested like a supreme athlete at the quarterback spot at the 2022 combine. With Bijan Robinson and Co. in the backfield, it's hard to envision Ridder getting the opportunity to throw it 30-plus times very often."

With a young core of wide receiver Drake London (21) tight end Kyle Pitts (22) running backs Bijan Robinson (21) and Tyler Allgeier (23), Ridder has a plethora of versatile weapons surrounding him in Atlanta. 

"Even if it doesn't amount to a 4,000-plus yard, 30-touchdown sophomore season in the NFL," CBS Sports writes. "Ridder is actually positioned well to piece together an ultra-efficient game-manager type 2023 in what is a watered-down NFC South. Ridder absolutely can be Ryan Tannehill 2.0 for Arthur Smith."

With the NFC South slotted as "wide-open," Ridder has the potential to lead Atlanta to its first division title since 2016. 

---

Follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.

Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.

Want even more Atlanta Falcons news? Check out the Si.com team page here.