BR names surprise QB prospect as Commanders’ ‘dream’ draft target

The Washington Commanders seem like a good bet to consider a quarterback with their first-round pick this year. No, they didn’t pick a good year to be in the market for a QB, but it does help that so few teams ahead of them in the draft order will likely prioritize other positions.

While the Panthers are a potential landing spot for Kenny Pickett with the sixth pick, Washington could be the first team to draft a signal caller.

The consensus understanding is only Pickett or Malik Willis would be worthy of the No. 11 overall selection. Though Pickett is said to be the most pro-ready prospect, Willis far and away flaunts the highest ceiling in this year’s class.

But say the Commanders don’t invest their first-round pick in a quarterback. What if they hold off until the second round and use the 11th pick on the best player available, whether it be a linebacker, wide receiver or cornerback?

If you asked Bleacher Report, they’d tell you that be the wise choice. In a recent article, writer Alex Kay highlighted every team’s “dream draft target” this year and pegged one Desmond Ridder as Washington’s guy in that regard.

Bleacher Report thinks Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder is the Commanders’ dream draft target.

Here’s Kay’s justification for picking Ridder for Washington.

"Ridder stands out in a shallow class with his ability to grasp a complex offense and progress through his reads.Ridder has shown a propensity to pick up big gains on designed runs and can quickly break away from rushers when scrambling. He possesses the arm strength to push the ball downfield, although his accuracy does need to be tuned up at the next level."

Kay went on to note that Washington should feel comfortable starting Ridder in Week 1 next season, even though there’d be growing pains. While that’s up for debate, fans would be hard-pressed having qualms with the Commanders netting a quarterback with Ridder’s talent with the No. 42 overall pick.

While Willis didn’t partake in any non-throwing drills, Ridder was easily the most athletic quarterback participant at the 2022 Combine. The Cincinnati product finished first in his position group in the 40-yard dash with a speedy 4.52-second finish, vertical jump (36 inches) and broad jump (10-foot-7).

Ridder’s impressive outing continued into on-field work. Yes, there was no pass rush, but the Bearcat got the ball out of his hands quickly and showed impressive touch on most of his passes, including the deep ball.

There are concerns about Ridder’s accuracy and footwork when he’s rushed through his progressions, but that can be rectified with simple tweaks in training. At the end of the day, this is a prospect whose greatest flaw might be that he’s mild-mannered and doesn’t have a commanding voice in the pocket.

You’ll take that any day over accuracy, arm strength and pocket poise. We all know Ron Rivera champions athleticism in his quarterbacks, and Ridder’s RAS score from Indy ranked 39th out of 831 QBs that have tested since 1987.

Worth noting, too, that the Commanders were well-represented at Cincinnati’s pro day on Thursday.

In fact, their nine reps — which include Ron Rivera, Martin Mayhew, Scott Turner and Ken Zampese — trail only the Falcons (12) for the most of any team in the NFL. Yes, Cincy has several prospects whom could get drafted and Sauce Gardner is in contention for the No. 11 overall pick, but Ridder is a huge draw.

BR’s article was written before the Combine, so Kay likely feels stronger about Ridder to Washington after the QB’s performance. Given all of the studs who figure to still be on the board at No. 11 overall, Washington could parlay adopting the best player available strategy in Round 1 with drafting Ridder in Round 2.

If that scenario comes to fruition, fans would be hard-pressed to come out of the draft disappointed in the Commanders.