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Denver Broncos go with controversial QB in latest mock draft

Sayre Bedinger
Sayre Bedinger

Predominantly Orange

Denver Broncos mock draft - Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass in the first half of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the East Carolina Pirates at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, NC, on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021.Cincinnati Bearcats At East Carolina Pirates 20

The Denver Broncos went with a controversial quarterback prospect in the latest 2022 NFL mock draft from our friends at NFL Spin Zone.

The Denver Broncos just got a big win against the Los Angeles Chargers, so the 2022 NFL Draft is not exactly on everyone’s radar right at the moment

With that being said, this time of year is when NFL Draft talk really starts to ramp up as the college football season reaches its conclusion (how insane is that?).

In the latest first-round 2022 NFL mock draft projections over at NFL Spin Zone, the Denver Broncos went with a bit of a controversial signal-caller.

Desmond Ridder jumps into round one, onto Denver Broncos in mock draft

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder is not exactly everyone’s flavor.

One of the true stars of college football has been getting grilled all season as an NFL projection, and many NFL Draft analysts aren’t in love with his overall consistency as a passer.

With that being said, Ridder has been a playmaker and leader for a really great Cincinnati Bearcats team, one that may be in the College Football Playoff this season.

For all of his flaws or inconsistencies, Ridder is a rare four-year starter at the most important position in sports and one who has played on a great team.

He’s not only been productive as a passer but Ridder is one of the best dual-threat players in the country.

Even if his projection to the NFL is more Jalen Hurts than Lamar Jackson, a lot of Denver Broncos fans would probably take a player like Hurts on the roster going forward.

By the time the 2021 season is finished, Ridder will probably easily eclipse 10,000 career passing yards and he’s already got 84 touchdown passes compared to 28 interceptions and he’s added 28 rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown in his four years.

Ridder has a strong arm, outstanding intangibles, tremendous athleticism, and a lot of time on task.

Those traits usually lead to a quarterback going in round one, even if you can poke a lot of holes in their game.

I will gladly go on record at this particular point in time as saying I think Ridder would be one quarterback from this class that would be an outstanding addition to the Broncos, who could go all-in in pursuit of veteran options instead of the NFL Draft route anyway.

I think NFL teams are going to fall in love with Ridder and his NFL Draft stock is going to skyrocket in the coming weeks/months.

Sayre Bedinger

Sayre Bedinger

Sayre Bedinger is a site expert for FanSided who has covered the Denver Broncos since 2013. Sayre's Broncos fandom developed after his grandparents relocated to Estes Park, CO during the John Elway glory days, and that passion for the team has resulted in many years and thousands of articles covering the team. Sayre is also the site co-expert of FanSided's NFL Spin Zone, providing coverage of the entire league. He is also a contributor for FanSided's Lombardi Ave (Packers), The Landry Hat (Cowboys), and a number of other local sites covering NFL teams. Sayre was inducted into the FanSided Hall of Fame in 2017. He is also the co-host of the Locked On Broncos Podcast and has been featured as a regular contributor on Bleacher Report. Sayre is a Disney World fanatic who hopes to take his family on trips there multiple times a year.