FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Former Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder, who was 44-6 as a starter and guided the Bearcats to the College Football Playoffs last season, was selected by the Falcons in the third-round (74th overall) of the draft on Friday.
The Falcons traded long-time quarterback Matt Ryan to the Colts for a third round pick. Ridder and Marcus Mariota, who was signed to a modest two-year contract, and Feleipe Franks are the quarterbacks on the roster.
By taking Ridder, the Falcons elected to pass on Liberty quarterback Malik Willis.
During Ridder's prolific career at Cincinnati, he completed 810 of 1,304 passes (62.1%) for 10, 239 yards, 87 touchdowns and just 28 interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 145.8.
