The Las Vegas Raiders have signed Arizona Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder from their practice squad following injury to Aidan O’Connell.
The dumpster fire that is the Las Vegas Raiders continues to rage as newly anointed starting QB Aidan O’Connell has been placed on IR after breaking his thumb against the LA Rams. Gardner Minshew replaced him in the game, and on the depth chart.
With UDFA rookie Carter Bradley as the only other QB option in Las Vegas, the Raiders signed veteran Desmond Ridder away from the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. Ridder was less than effective as a starter in Atlanta before being traded to Arizona for WR Rondale Moore.
Minshew is once again the Raiders’ starter after being demoted in the middle of Week 5’s game. O’Connell managed to play the second half of Week 5, all of the Week 6 loss to Pittsburgh, and then was knocked out of the Week 7 tilt against the Rams after breaking his thumb on a defenders helmet during a throw. Minshew is startable in only the deepest of leagues, and Ridder’s only upside is that he played with WR Tre Tucker in college at Cincinnati.
Brendon Booth | @bigbonededFFB
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder will start in ...
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The Cardinals secure their backup quarterback while the Falcons aim for upside acquiring wide receiver Rondale Moore.
The Atlanta Falcons have been super active in free agency acquiring quarterback Kirk Cousins and signing wide receiver Darnell Mooney. With Desmond Ridder not being a scheme and archetype fit for their new offense, the Falcons are sending Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore.
This is a win-win real life NFL trade and a trade that could be made in your Superflex Dynasty leagues. In Desmond Ridder, the Cardinals get a quality backup who can play to some of the skillset with which Kyler Murray operates the offense, albeit to a lesser degree. For the Falcons, Rondale Moore can be utilized in the short area passing game, end-arounds, and carries from the backfield.
This trade is neither a threat to Kyler Murray or Bijan Robinson, rather it gives both the Cardinals and Falcons extra versatility in their roster construction. With the kindling of this NFL trade, you can now use this short window to include Desmond Ridder and Rondale Moore into some cross-positional Dynasty trades with larger pieces serving as the meat shield to hide your intentions.
Taylor Heinicke Named Atlanta Falcons Starter For Week 9
Taylor Heinicke Named Starter For Week 9. In a not-so-surprising move, Coach Arthur Smith benches Desmond Ridder for veteran Taylor Heinicke.
In week 8, Ridder started the game but was pulled in the second half. Ridder was checked for a concussion but was cleared to return. In the second half, Taylor Heinicke completed 12 of 21 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown, with zero interceptions in the second half of the week 8 game.
This move to the veteran is an upgrade to the Falcons passing game. Heinicke has proved in the past that he is capable as a starter in the NFL. In nine games in 2022, Heinicke had a 62.2% completion percentage with 1,859 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. This is an upgrade for Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and the rest of the Falcon’s offense.
