Albert Breer: Desmond Ridder 'Tied to Panthers More in Recent Days' at No. 6

Ridder going in the Top-10 would be the biggest shock of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Apr 15, 2022 9:50 AM EDT

CINCINNATI — Sports Illustrated NFL Insider Albert Breer unveiled how he sees the first 12 picks falling in the 2022 NFL Draft, and multiple Bearcats are involved. Things start with rumblings of Desmond Ridder in the Top-10.

Breer is hearing Ridder's name discussed as high as the Carolina Panthers at No. 6.

"I’ve heard Liberty’s Malik Willis and Ole Miss’s Matt Corral, and even Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, tied to the Panthers more in recent days," Breer wrote. "Now, it’d take some creativity scheme-wise on new OC Ben McAdoo’s part to have Willis and Corral ready to go as rookies; and Ridder would be a reach that high. Which, I think, illustrates again why a trade down would be ideal."

Ridder going at No. 6 would be the biggest shock in the draft and seems like nothing but a smokescreen during silly season. In terms of Gardner, Breer was having trouble placing him on a team but landed on the Seahawks at No. 9.

"The first pick from the Russell Wilson haul should be a pivotal one for the Seahawks," Breer wrote. "Sitting there, as we have it, would be an ideal fit at corner, in Gardner. But Seattle’s history under John Schneider and Pete Carroll has always been to find and/or manufacture corners in nontraditional ways. And with Duane Brown still unsigned, there’s a real need at left tackle here.

"Remember, Schneider’s never been afraid to do something that’s a little different, or value certain players he deems as Seattle types differently, and that’s where I’ll introduce you to Northern Iowa’s tough, mean tackle, Trevor Penning, who might need work to play left tackle in the pros—but brings a boatload of edge to the field. And I’m telling you, because of all that, I really did want to put Penning here. I just couldn’t leave Gardner out there any longer, especially with the fit screaming at me."

The consensus mock drafts see Gardner going a little earlier than No. 9. Gardner is being mocked most often to the New York Jets at No. 4 (26% of mock drafts).

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