Best and Worst Fits For the Bearcats' Top Prospects in 2022 NFL Draft

Where will Desmond Ridder and Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner' Land?

Author:
James Rapien
Apr 22, 2022 9:23 AM EDT

CINCINNATI — The Bearcats are expected to have at least three players selected in the first two rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft and could have five taken after four rounds.

Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner could be the first Bearcat to be selected in the top four in NFL Draft history. Desmond Ridder is hoping to become the second Cincinnati quarterback to be taken in the first round.

We know they're headed to the pros, but which NFL teams fit the Bearcats' stars best?

A player's landing spot has a lot to do with the potential success they have at the next level. Let's take a look at the best fits for Gardner, Ridder and some of the other Bearcats expected to be taken early in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Desmond Ridder, Quarterback

2Oct 24, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) runs the ball against Southern Methodist Mustangs during the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Flores-USA TODAY Sports — © Tim Flores-USA TODAY Sports

Ridder could get picked in the top 10 or he could fall to round two.

The 22-year-old is smart, athletic and is a good leader. He's also showed growth in each of his four years at the University of Cincinnati. He led the Bearcats to 44 wins and has impressed teams during the interview process.

Best Fit: Pittsburgh Steelers

Can anyone deny that Ridder would be perfect in Pittsburgh? It may hurt some Cincinnati fans, but he's a leader that has the athleticism they're looking for at quarterback. They also have the structure and the culture that would help a rookie have success early in his career. They have the 20th overall pick.

The Saints are another team to watch and would also be a great landing spot.

Worst Fit: Carolina Panthers

Are we sure Matt Rhule is going to be the head coach a year from now? The last thing Ridder needs is to end up in Carolina and have multiple coaches in his first two NFL seasons. Give him stability, which is exactly what he'd get in Pittsburgh.

Going to Carolina at No. 6 would come with pressure and instability—two things no young quarterback wants to deal with.

Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, Cornerback

Nov 20, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Ahmad Gardner (1) and cornerback Coby Bryant (7) react after cornerback Arquon Bush (not pictured) blocked a field goal by the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports — Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

All 32 teams could use Gardner in their secondary. He's a tall, long cornerback that has the ability to guard top wide receivers one-on-one [just ask Jamison Williams].

Gardner could work for anyone, but landing in New York would make a ton of sense.

Best Fit: New York Jets

Darrelle Revis helped turn the Jets into a winner shortly after he arrived in New York in 2007. They had a young quarterback, defensive minded head coach and the top cornerback in the NFL.

A similar formula could work now. They already have Zach Wilson at quarterback. They could take Gardner with the fourth pick and still have a shot at some of the top wide receivers at No. 10 overall.

Gardner is arguably the safest player in this draft. The Jets should take him if he's still on the board.

Worst Fit: Detroit Lions

This has more to do with optics. Will Lions fans embrace Gardner just two years after the team took cornerback Jeff Okudah with the third overall pick with Justin Herbert still available?

Gardner can work anywhere, but the storylines that will come from it is enough for Detroit to make this list.

Alec Pierce, Wide Receiver

Alec Pierce touchdown — © Albert Cesare / The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Pierce is a freak. He has a chance to be a steal in this draft class. He's ready to contribute in an NFL offense right away and needs to go somewhere with stability at quarterback.

Best Fit: Kansas City Chiefs

Pierce going off the board to the Chiefs at pick 50 makes a ton of sense for both him and the team.

They want to be a bigger, more physical team. Pierce is big, but he can run and jumps out of the stadium. Patrick Mahomes will love throwing the ball up to him in contested catch situations.

The Indianapolis Colts would also make a ton of sense. They have the 42nd overall pick.

Worst Fit: Chicago Bears

The Bears have a young quarterback in Justin Fields, but that's where it ends. They're rebuilding and might not be competitive for the foreseeable future. Landing in a spot like Kansas City, Indianapolis or even Green Bay would make a ton of sense.

Coby Bryant, Cornerback

Coby Bryant, George Pickens — © Sam Greene via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Bryant makes a ton of sense for a team looking to play man-to-man defense on a regular basis.

He was productive, has great ball skills and should be able to play significant snaps early in his career.

Best Fit: Los Angeles Rams

Bryant landing in Los Angeles would be a perfect fit. They have the 104th overall pick, which means he would have to fall until the end of round three. The Rams need another cornerback with Darious Williams signing with the Jaguars.

Worst Fit: Washington Commanders

Washington prefers to play more zone coverage. Bryant would figure it out, but his ability to win in one-on-one situations with his ball skills are where he excels.

Bryan Cook, Safety

Dec 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats safety Bryan Cook (6) celebrates an interception in the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2021 Cotton Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports — Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Cook could get picked ahead of Bryant and maybe ahead of Pierce. NFL teams are high on his potential. He's a big, fast player that should get meaningful snaps on defense as a rookie.

Best Fit: Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals like to use plenty of three safety looks, which means Cook would be an instant contributor as a rookie. He could eventually take Vonn Bell or Jessie Bates' place in the starting lineup if they don't sign extensions with the Bengals.

Worst Fit: Los Angeles Chargers

This has to do with playing time more than anything. Cook is ready to contribute as a rookie, but wouldn't get much of an opportunity behind Derwin James and Nasir Adderley.

Myjai Sanders, Defensive End

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive end Myjai Sanders (21) pumps up the team and the fans in the third quarter during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Georgia Bulldogs won, 24-21. Georgia Bulldogs Vs Cincinnati Bearcats Chick Fil A Peach Bowl 2020 Jan 1 2021 — © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Put him on the edge and let him rush the passer. That's Sanders' specialty. He had 13.5 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over the past three seasons.

Best Fit: Jacksonville Jaguars

Sanders could go to a young team and play meaningful snaps early in his career. He's almost 24-years-old, so he needs to hit the ground running. He should be able to do that in Jacksonville.

Worst Fit: Sanders is projected to go in the fourth round. We can't be too picky at this stage of the draft. As long as he ends up in a place where he can lineup on the edge and rush the passer, then that's a win.

Darrian Beavers, Linebacker

Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Darrian Beavers (0) tackles Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) in the first half of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati Bearcats At Notre Dame Fighting Irish 178 — © Albert Cesare / The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Beavers has good size (6-3, 243) and athleticism. The Cincinnati native could be a nice fit on the Bengals, but should be able to lineup at inside linebacker in any 3-4 scheme.

Best Fit: Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals need linebacker help and Beavers could fit well in their defense. They could put him on the edge occasionally in pass rush situations. His versatility, size and athleticism makes a lot of sense in Arizona. The Seahawks could also be a nice fit.

Worst Fit: Minnesota Vikings

Again, it's hard to be picky in the middle rounds and Beavers would likely be ecstatic to go to the Vikings, but landing in a 3-4 scheme where he can play inside linebacker and a little edge has to be the goal and that wouldn't happen in Minnesota.

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