Falcons' Desmond Ridder named only 'pivotal' rookie QB ahead of 2022 NFL season

Kenny Pickett of the Pittsburgh Steelers was the only rookie quarterback selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and, by all accounts, isn't all that close to unseating presumed starter Mitchell Trubisky atop the depth chart. In fact, it's believed career backup Mason Rudolph "is still the second-string quarterback" ahead of Pickett at this stage of the process. 

After Pittsburgh grabbed Pickett this spring, signal-callers remained on the draft board until an Atlanta Falcons team that signed Marcus Mariota in March used a third-round choice to acquire Cincinnati Bearcats product Desmond Ridder. 

Publicly, there's no quarterback controversy in Atlanta. The Falcons named Mariota their QB1 at the start of training camp, and Ridder has referred to the 28-year-old as a "big brother." Nevertheless, NFL Media's Lance Zierlein suggested for a piece published Tuesday that Ridder will see the field this fall for more than just "mop-up duties." Zierlein also named the 22-year-old his lone "pivotal" rookie quarterback among all options ahead of the regular season. 

"It wasn’t easy to make a selection for this spot, but getting a read on what Ridder can offer in the pros could have more value to the franchise — which appears to be firmly in rebuilding mode — than first-round pick Drake London's rookie performance," Zierlein noted. "The Falcons have a bridge quarterback in Marcus Mariota, but the long-term plan at the position is not as clear. Playing third-round quarterback Davis Mills as a rookie last season gave the Texans insight into his ability to run the show. Committing to a Ridder audition could make plenty of sense for Atlanta by the midway point of the 2022 campaign." 

Assuming Trubisky and Rudolph both keep Pickett a spectator once the games begin to matter, Ridder theoretically should be considered the favorite to become the first rookie quarterback to start a meaningful game before Thanksgiving Day. Truth be told, the Falcons may not even wait that long to get a look at Ridder if they struggle to win games through the season's first month or so.