Should I Pickup and Stash Desmond Ridder for Fantasy Football? Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlook

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder hasn't started a game this season, but the third-round pick out of Cincinnati could make an appearance at some point this season. It's far from a given, but as fantasy managers, we have to be one step ahead in order to get an edge on our league mates.

This late into the season, the waiver wire is thin and it takes deep dives and gambling on the future to make meaningful moves for our fantasy rosters.

With the Falcons struggling and heading to a Week 14 bye, is Ridder worth picking up from the waiver wire for the fantasy football playoffs?

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Will Desmond Ridder Start in 2022?

With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Monday Night Football win over the New Orleans Saints, the Falcons' playoff odds have plummeted in the NFC South, as they have two more losses than Tampa Bay and have already lost to them once this season. Atlanta can still technically make the playoffs, but it's becoming more and more unlikely.

Surely, the Falcons would like to see what they have in Ridder before the season concludes. The Falcons' passing game has failed to take off under Marcus Mariota, and it's tough to imagine it could be much worse under Ridder. The 2023 NFL draft class has intriguing quarterback prospects and the Falcons currently have a top-1o pick. One would think Arthur Smith would give Ridder a chance to show what he can do and evaluate him as they look toward the draft.

Arthur Smith said "everything is on the table" when asked about a potential quarterback change, so there is hope for Ridder to be named the start after the Falcons' bye week. That said, we can't always take everything coaches say seriously, so it's too early to know if that could happen.

Should I Pickup Desmond Ridder Off the Waiver Wire in Fantasy Football?

In two-quarterback or Superflex leagues, Ridder should absolutely be picked up and stashed if he hasn't been already. In those league formats, plenty of backup quarterbacks are rostered, especially those who are behind struggling or often-injured quarterbacks.

Fantasy managers in those leagues usually have to insert any starting quarterback in lineups and not everyone has a starting quarterback on the bench. Ridder's upside would be limited in a run-heavy offense with lackluster pass-catchers, but again, any starting quarterback is in play.

In traditional single-quarterback leagues, Ridder can be left on the waiver wire for the reasons mentioned above. In all likelihood, fantasy managers still in the playoff race have a quarterback with far more upside than Ridder. It would be truly shocking to see Ridder become a QB1 this season. Even if he's a "good" quarterback, the opportunity to score a ton of fantasy points isn't there right now for the Atlanta offense.

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