When the Atlanta Falcons were on the clock for the 74th overall pick in the NFL Draft, the front office had a decision to make with all but one of the top quarterback prospects still on the board. Sticking to the “integrity of the board,” general manager Terry Fontenot made the call to go with Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder. Now, a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has shed some light on why Ridder got the call over Liberty’s Malik Willis.
Willis flashed all sorts of potential while elevating Liberty’s national profile over the past two seasons after transferring from Auburn, but Fowler claims that a lack of “signature moments” partially led to the Falcons going with the Cincinnati product that led his team to an appearance in the CFB Playoff last season.
“Atlanta had its pick of quarterbacks entering the third round, with only Kenny Pickett off the board. Choosing a quarterback in the draft, even late on Day 2, requires a clear vision for everyone in the organization. And to convey that vision, Atlanta’s brain trust would need clear-cut examples of exactly what the Falcons would be getting, for ownership or otherwise. After asking around, I get the sense that Atlanta felt Malik Willis, despite immense talent, lacked the signature moments while at Liberty to sway such a decision, whereas Desmond Ridder — the team's pick at No. 74 — showcased a more complete body of work,” Fowler reported.
Ridder’s body of work includes a 44-6 record as a starter, including a win over #9 Notre Dame in the early portion of the 2021 season that helped propel the Bearcats to the postseason. During his career, Ridder racked up over 10,200 yards with 87 touchdowns against just 28 interceptions.
While he also led the program to wins over a trio of power five opponents and a near-upset over UGA in the 2020 Peach Bowl, Ridder’s head coach Luke Fickell said his defining moment came in a comeback effort just a few weeks before the win over the Fighting Irish. Trailing at the half, it was the leadership Ridder showed in the locker room that stuck with Fickell.
In addition to his on-field success, Fowler reports that Ridder's confidence also impressed the Falcons.
Plus, Ridder's confidence and polish in the process helped. Coaches who interviewed him noted that the QB outlined his plans to unseat a veteran wherever he landed.”
Ridder will attempt to put that plan into motion over the next few months as he arrives in Atlanta as the backup behind Marcus Mariota who was acquired quickly after the organization traded Matt Ryan to the Colts. The new Falcons quarterback has already shown fans some of that confidence by stating his intention to deliver a Lombardi Trophy to Atlanta.
Experts have praised Willis' upside as an NFL prospect while expressing that he may need some time before he’s ready to step in and lead a franchise. After landing in Tennessee, while he may not receive much advice from Ryan Tannehill, it appears Willis won’t be pressed into a starting role before he’s ready.
There’s a scenario where neither Willis nor Ridder even see the field in 2022, but if they do, their performance will be placed under a microscope as fans hope their respective organizations made the right call.