Who Should I Start? Desmond Ridder or Bryce Young

Tuesday, May 6, 11:29 PM

Free-agent quarterback Desmond Ridder will receive a tryout for the Denver Broncos during their rookie minicamp this weekend, a source tells 9 News' Mike Klis. The former University of Cincinnati product was drafted in the third round in 2022 by the Atlanta Falcons and started 13 games in 2023. The 25-year-old was way too inconsistent and injury-prone, though, with the Falcons moving on after just two seasons. He appeared in six games (one start) for the Las Vegas Raiders last year and completed 61.2% of his 85 pass attempts for 458 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Former first-rounder Bo Nix is Denver's unquestioned starter after a strong rookie season in which he led the Broncos to the playoffs, and Jarrett Stidham will return as his backup. If Ridder is signed, he'd compete with Sam Ehlinger for the No. 3 job in the QB room.

Friday, April 25, 12:20 PM

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan said that quarterback Bryce Young told head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan that the team needed to draft him. Young vouched for McMillan, and the Panthers listed and selected the 22-year-old Arizona product with the eighth overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night. The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher excels on contested catches down the field and should immediately be a starter in three-wide sets for the team in 2025 next to Xavier Legette and veteran Adam Thielen. McMillan will give Young a wide catch radius, but there are questions about how much separation he will be able to get on a consistent basis at the next level. If it's true that Young was adamant about the team drafting McMillan, the two could quickly form a strong connection that helps McMillan become fantasy relevant in Year 1.