The Atlanta Falcons added Desmond Ridder in the draft. According to head coach Arthur Smith, the rookie quarterback is “light years” ahead of other playmakers his age.

Munich – The Atlanta Falcons secured the services of rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder in round three of the 2022 NFL Draft. The youngster has already made an impression, especially on head coach Arthur Smith. The 22-year-old’s ability to internalise the team’s offensive scheme at lightning speed, in particular, has been surprising to the head coach.

“The way he acts when we do rookie walk-throughs, on and off the field, his command. (…) He’s light years ahead of most young quarterbacks, especially mentally. I have to give him that compliment,” Smith is quoted as saying on the team’s homepage.

The young signal caller brought it in four years as a starter at the college in Cincinnati to 43 wins with only six losses. A lot of experience that will now help him with the Falcons.

“To internalize the entire offense – I’m not going to lie, because I thought I was going to get here and struggle,” the self-surprised Ridder explained.

Falcons coach praises Desmond Ridder

And continued, “We’re almost through the whole learning the schemes and I’ve developed a good feel for it. It has surprised me to be honest. I’m not saying I didn’t learn it, but I thought it might take a little longer, a few days longer. I got it pretty quickly though. “

Following the departure of Matt Ryan, Ridder is pencilled in as Marcus Mariota’s backup with the Falcons. Given Coach Smith’s praise, however, the starter’s job is well within the realm of possibility: “He’s very intelligent. Of course, he still has to improve. But behind the scenes, he’s impressed me with a few things. “