Desmond

Ridder

Even Pierce, who is fighting for his job and is currently losing the battle, isn’t desperate enough to turn to Desmond Ridder. The Raiders haven’t won a game since September and Minshew struggled in his most recent start, throwing for 124 scoreless yards versus the Bengals before being pulled for Ridder late in the game. Minshew is the best option for the fantasy outlooks of Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers but isn’t on the QB2 radar for Week 11.

Ridder’s inconsistent play makes him a bad real life quarterback, but he might have enough rushing upside to be a viable low-end superflex play, particularly if asked to pass a lot as the Raiders often have while trailing. Don’t blow the FAAB budget or anything, but Ridder is worth rostering in superflex leagues.

Ridder entered the game in the third quarter after Gardner Minshew was benched. With a banged-up offensive line, Ridder was constantly under pressure; his first two drives ended as three-and-outs while he was sacked four times on the day. He was strip-sacked by Trey Hendrickson in the fourth quarter but finally connected with Brock Bowers for a garbage-time score, tossing the ball to Bowers in between multiple defenders while scrambling. The Raiders’ quarterback situation is in flux yet again and Ridder could very well be starting after the team’s Week 10 bye.

The Raiders were put in a bind at quarterback after Aidan O’Connell hit injured reserve with a thumb injury. Ridder is likely to serve as the primary backup behind Gardner Minshew while O’Connell is on injured reserve. Ridder was signed to the Arizona practice squad after Clayton Tune beat him out this offseason for the primary backup role behind Kyler Murray.

Ridder was in a battle with Clayton Tune to back up Kyler Murray. The third-year quarterback completed 20-of-35 passes for 225 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions in his three preseason outings while adding another 63 yards on the ground. Things haven’t clicked for Ridder since he entered the league as a third-round pick back in 2022. While playing in a broken Arthur Smith offense did him no favors, Ridder has thrown for 3544-14-12 in 19 career games and has 10 lost fumbles to his name. He’ll likely find a spot on another team’s practice squad, and could even return to the Cardinals if another team doesn’t scoop him up in the coming days.

Ridder took a shot late in the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s preseason game and immediately made his way to the sideline. Ridder landing in concussion protocol could force the Cardinals to place him on injured reserve for initial roster cutdowns, which would likely make Clayton Tune the Cardinals’ QB2 to open the season. Ridder will likely be cleared in time for Week 1, but with cutdowns coming Tuesday, it’s unlikely he’ll be cleared before the deadline.

Tune drew the start and had a passable performance before being pulled for Desmond Ridder. An injury to Ridder late in the fourth quarter forced Tune back on the field with the Cardinals already in scoring range. Unfortunately, on his first play back, Tune threw a catchable pass to Broncos linebacker Levelle Bailey, who returned it 96 yards for a touchdown. It was a brutal break for Tune, who is battling with Ridder to be the backup for Kyler Murray to open the season. Ridder didn’t fare much better throwing for 111 scoreless yards on 10-of-16 passing, but he also didn’t turn the ball over. We’ll see how this competition shakes out in the coming days, but it’s safe to say neither quarterback would have much fantasy upside if they were to be forced to start.

Tune and Desmond Ridder are in a battle to back up Kyler Murray. In two preseason games, Tune has thrown for 242 yards and one touchdown while completing 67.6 percent of his passes, while Ridder has thrown for 114 yards with a 52.6 completion percentage. Tune has also rushed for 24 yards and a score. Tune started the Cardinals’ second preseason game against the Colts last week. The fact that he’s getting a chance to make another start to close out the preseason could suggest that the backup job is Tune’s to lose.

The Cardinals needed a new backup for Kyler Murray, and that is what Ridder decisively proved to be in Atlanta: A backup. He might not even be a particularly good one, though he at least now has 17 games of starting experience. Stiff and un-explosive, Ridder turns 25 in August and has not hinted at a second gear in the NFL. He does at least offer a little bit with his legs when he breaks free from his robotic motions in the pocket.

Things appear to be moving surprisingly quickly in Ridder trade world. A stiff and robotic starter, Ridder wouldn’t be a great backup, either, but he’s at least experienced. Ridder would be zero threat to Kyler Murray’s status in the desert even if Murray continues to underperform in 2024.