3 quarterbacks Cleveland Browns may consider in the 2022 NFL draft

Dec 4, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Sam Hartman (10) during the first quarter in the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Sam Hartman (10) during the first quarter in the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws on the run in the second quarter of the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. /

Cleveland Browns Quarterback option No. 2: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

Another interesting name is Desmond Ridder, the Cincinnati standout quarterback who led the Bearcats as the first non-power-five competitor in the final four of College Football.

The big question with Ridder is, how early will he go? If he has a tremendous game vs. a stingy Alabama defense on New Year’s Eve, he may force himself to go late in the first round or early second. If he has an average game and the Bearcats get rolled, you could see him slide into round three which is where I’d want the Browns to have an interest.

Ridder lined up in shotgun almost every play in college, but he has the game for a run-first offense that uses play action. He has the athleticism to roll the pocket when needed and has shown to have great accuracy with the football.

The two biggest concerns with Ridder are the level of competition he has faced, and what will happen to him under pressure. Because the Bearcats have been so much better than his competition, he has had plenty of time in the pocket and his mistakes have been limited.

If the Browns want a shot at him, they should likely root for him to struggle vs. the Crimson Tide. He again won’t be a guy you should expect to start in 2022 but is a guy who could become a very capable NFL starter if developed properly.