What to Expect From Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder

Here's the inside scoop on new Arizona Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder.

ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals have a new quarterback on their roster.

Weeks ago, the Cardinals moved WR Rondale Moore to the Atlanta Falcons in a player swap to receive QB Desmond Ridder, a young passer with numerous starts that will compete with now second-year quarterback Clayton Tune for the right to back up Kyler Murray in the desert.

What should Cardinals fans expect from Ridder? We spoke with Falcons Report expert Daniel Flick on Arizona's newest quarterback:

1. For Cardinals fans who don't know much about Ridder - how would you sum up his strengths and weaknesses?

Flick: Ridder's biggest strengths come from the neck up, as he was frequently lauded by his Falcons teammates and coaches for his leadership, professionalism and preparation. Even when he was benched - not once but twice - he impressed with his maturity and continued commitment to the day-to-day aspects of playing quarterback at the sport's highest level. He's a good athlete who can beat opponents with his legs, and he often played his best ball in the fourth quarter, ranking in the top five of EPA-plus over the final 15 minutes late into the season.

As for weaknesses, Ridder routinely struggled pushing the ball downfield, and his accuracy and ball placement to all parts of the field was sporadic. His mental processing, initially considered to be a strength, features several blunders and head-scratching decisions. Ridder's week-to-week play fluctuated, but his turnovers were consistent, as were Atlanta's redzone struggles.

What do you personally make of him as a prospect - is there still potential?

Flick: I think Ridder still has upside, and he proved he can play at a high level in spurts - from Weeks 5 through 7, he averaged 297.3 passing yards per game, second most in the NFL behind only Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes. Ridder has a better arm than most give him credit for and he made considerable strides from his four-game stint at the end of 2022 to the start of 2023.

I personally have long thought Ridder's ceiling is a top-15 quarterback who can provide small spurts of play at a level slightly higher than that. The reality, though, is he's yet to prove he has the consistency needed to see the field long enough to develop into that type of player, and may never be able to reach it.

Overall thoughts on him coming to Arizona to work under Kyler Murray?

Flick: Working under Murray should be a positive for Ridder, but it'll also be just as good for Murray. Ridder, as mentioned previously, brings strong values to a quarterback room, and he has the mental traits to be a high-quality backup for the next decade.