Marcus Mariota starting Week 1 for Falcons vs. Saints; rookie Desmond Ridder still favored on NFL odds to start at least 4 games this season

A few sportsbooks this offseason had odds on which quarterback would start Week 1 for Atlanta against New Orleans, and veteran free-agent addition Marcus Mariota was generally a -500 favorite over rookie third-round pick Desmond Ridder (+300). That prop is going to cash for Mariota on Sept. 11 barring an injury, as Coach Arthur Smith has already named the former No. 2 overall pick his starting QB. However, SportsLine oddsmakers still expect Ridder to get at least a handful of starts in 2022.

Of course, the Falcons traded franchise icon and former NFL MVP Matt Ryan to the Colts this offseason for draft picks. Mariota, the former Heisman Trophy winner at Oregon and No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, was signed to a two-year deal worth up to $19 million. After playing five years for the Titans, Mariota spent two seasons as a backup to Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. Smith has experience working with Mariota in Tennessee.

It's no shock that Mariota, who is 29-32 as a starter, signed with Atlanta given the Smith connection, and that the only other quarterback on the Falcons' roster was Feleipe Franks prior to the draft. Mariota being named the starter this early makes sense, as third-round rookies simply don't get Week 1 starts in the NFL.

"Obviously, we've got a plan for each of them. Marcus is the starter," quarterbacks coach Charles London said Wednesday after the Falcons finished their first practice of training camp. "That's how we're going into this thing."

The Houston Texans took Davis Mills in the third round last year, and he started 11 games (played in 13), but not until a Tyrod Taylor injury forced the issue in Week 3. On paper, the 2022 Falcons look a lot like the 2021 Texans: Terrible. Atlanta has an Over/Under win total of 5 at Caesars Sportsbook, the second-fewest in the league behind Houston. 

Interestingly, Franks will practice as a tight end for most of training camp, which increases the number of practice reps Ridder can get. By all accounts, he has impressed the coaches. Ridder is easily the best quarterback in University of Cincinnati history. He lead the Bearcats to last season's College Football Playoff and his 44 wins are the third-most by a QB in college football history.

Presuming that the Falcons are in fact bad, circle Week 15 at New Orleans as potentially Ridder's first start barring a Mariota injury. That's the Falcons' first game after their bye week. Another possibility if Atlanta is already eliminated from playoff contention – and it is projected to be favored in only two games -- is Week 11 vs. Chicago (an easy opponent), as the Falcons will be working on extra rest following a Week 10 trip to Carolina

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: How many games will rookie QB Desmond Ridder start for the Falcons this season?

• Over 4.5 -140
• Under 4.5 +110

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