2022 NFL Draft Rumors: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati WRs Work Out for Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly showing interest in Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder ahead of the 2022 NFL draft.
According to Albert Breer of The MMQB, the Colts visited with and worked out Ridder and several Bearcats wide receivers Friday.
The Colts do not own a pick in the first round and are not scheduled to select until the No. 42 pick in the second round.
Indianapolis moved up five spots from the 47th pick when it sent quarterback Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders.
The Colts then acquired longtime Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan for a third-round pick.
While Ryan is set to start in 2022, he will turn 37 years old May 17 and has only two years left on his contract.
As a result, the Colts need a quarterback of the future, and Ridder could be that player if he is still available in the second round or if Indianapolis can find a way to trade into the bottom portion of the first round.
Having a shot at Ridder may be a pipe dream for the Colts, though, since few prospects have generated as much hype as he has in recent weeks.
Last week, NFL Network's Peter Schrager projected Ridder to the Detroit Lions with the No. 32 pick, noting coaches believe Ridder has an "it" factor.
A day later, ESPN's Matt Miller reported there was "legitimate buzz" for Ridder to become a top-15 pick.
Liberty's Malik Willis seems like a strong bet to be the first quarterback off the board, but Ridder may have surpassed Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett and Ole Miss' Matt Corral for the second spot among signal-callers.
It is difficult to ignore what Ridder accomplished as a four-year starter with the Bearcats. He won the third-most games by a quarterback in FBS history with 44.
Ridder also helped make Cincinnati the first non-Power Five and non-Notre Dame team to reach the College Football Playoff last season.
He put up big numbers in 2021 as well, completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 3,334 yards and 30 touchdowns with eight interceptions while also rushing for 355 yards and six scores.
On top of that, Ridder performed well at the NFL Scouting Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds.
The Colts will likely have to beat out several other suitors to land Ridder, but if they do it, they will have a high-upside prospect to develop behind Matty Ice.