Predicting Steelers top-5 first-round targets in the 2022 NFL Draft

2. QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

Surprised to see Desmond Ridder this high? You might not be when the Steelers are on the clock. After Tomlin and Colbert had already been on the road for consecutive days to watch Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, and Matt Corral, Pittsburgh’s brass made an evening trip from Mississippi to Cincinnati in order to have dinner with Ridder. That’s dedication.

Ridder doesn’t check the box of playing at a Power Five school… but this is the same general manager who was willing to make an exception only at the quarterback position for Miami (OH) QB Ben Roethlisberger back in 2004.

Apart from his small-school status, Ridder checks nearly every other box. He’s one of the taller quarterbacks in the class at 6’3 3/8”, he has big hands, a quality arm, and excellent athletic traits. He has also improved each year in college and led the Bearcats to the best four-year stretch in school history.

Tomlin and Colbert are going to love Ridder’s leadership and winning mentality. Combine this with the other traits he possesses, and we have a very strong candidate to be Pittsburgh’s first-round pick this April.