DesmondRidder

News: 4 days agoRidder completed 19 of 32 passes for 237 yards, a touchdown and an interception during Sunday's 25-24 win over the Packers. He also rushed 10 times for 39 yards and an additional score.

Spin: Ridder wasn't sharp early. He threw an interception on his second pass of the game and had two more throws go through the hands of defenders. However, the quarterback also had a touchdown called back after review, so the what-ifs could go both ways. In the end, Ridder did what he needed to do to help Atlanta pull off the victory. Fantasy managers should be enthused with Ridder's production on the ground, but it's also encouraging that he threw the ball 32 times after just 18 pass attempts in Week 1. The Falcons' offense was still run-heavy (45 rushes to 32 passes), but Ridder will remain a viable fantasy option if he frequently replicates the role he filled against Green Bay.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Ridder is the starting QB in Atlanta after spending most of his rookie season backing up Marcus Mariota. The 2022 third-round pick made four starts as a rookie, but failed to make much of an impact, scoring only two TDs, both of which came in a Week 18 game against a Buccaneers team that was resting starters. Ridder has the ability to make noise with his legs, though he was held below 10 rushing yards in three of his four games last season. It's rare for Day 2 draft picks to emerge into stars, so Ridder is a long shot, but perhaps he'll make a leap in his second season, especially with young targets Drake London and Kyle Pitts on the ascent. He's a better asset in dynasty formats.