Saints rookie Quarterback Spencer Rattler may be the biggest enigma of the players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Once considered a top recruit in high school, he had stops at two schools before being drafted in the fifth round, 150th overall.
Originally projected to be as high as a third-rounder, the six-foot, 210-pound gunslinger tumbled further than anyone expected. And it certainly wasn’t for lack of talent. The athleticism of Spencer Rattler is unquestioned, going back to his days as Jalen Hurts’ backup at Oklahoma.
Things didn’t work out in Norman for the young prospect. So, on to South Carolina, where Rattler looked to lead the Gamecocks to glory. He had some success, helping his team to an 8-5 mark in his first year on campus in Columbia. That was, unfortunately, followed up by a 5-7 season in 2023.
In his final season, Spencer Rattler threw for 3,186 yards, with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. And while those aren’t necessarily world-beating numbers, the playmaker fell out of favor with some in the National Football League.
Spencer Rattler Tumbled in the 2024 NFL Draft
With the No. 150 overall pick in the 2024 @NFLDraft, the @Saints select Spencer Rattler!
📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/uis7EhuFTV— NFL (@NFL) April 27, 2024
Many critics and observers have pointed out that Spencer Rattler likely dropped in the draft due to a negative perception. Much of that stems from a 2019 Netflix documentary QB1: Beyond the Lights. The series followed around top recruits transitioning from high school to college – especially focusing on the recruiting process. Rattler came off as incredibly arrogant and immature on camera, and it seems that image has followed him.
It’s believed that the negative persona he projected on the program dropped him significantly in the eyes of NFL scouts and executives. Still, it seems that Rattler has matured a lot from those days. Right before the draft, he was asked by the NFL Network what advice he would give to himself at 17.
“I would definitely tell a 17-year-old me to stay as humble as you possibly can,” Rattler said. “Because when you have a lot of success at a young age, I’ve been through it, you think you’re hot stuff. Then you realize you gotta restart in college and then obviously at the next level you have to restart all over again. Just remaining humble. I’ve always been a humble person but really being exact with that and precise and just carrying yourself in a certain manner.”
Early Reports on the Rookie have been Positive
Spencer Rattler letting it FLY 😳
Rattler has reportedly been “lighting it up” at Saints minicamp.
Some people around the league reportedly believe Rattler could see some playing time this season.
The Saints may have landed a STEAL. pic.twitter.com/ut1mZ702Ya
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) June 16, 2024
After the Denver Broncos selected Oregon QB Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick, 138 players were chosen before the Saints pulled the trigger on Rattler. As the draft floated into day three, Rattler became a great return on investment for any franchise. And at the end of the day, his talent and accomplishments made him a bargain at pick no. 150.
It started a little rough for the rookie, however. During New Orleans‘ OTAs, he was intercepted twice on day one. But by the end of the offseason exercises, he had settled in and looked much more comfortable in the pocket. Those in attendance marveled at his aerial abilities.
The takeaway from it all is that as Spencer Rattler gets more acquainted with the pro game, he will only get better. With a couple of seasons behind veteran Derek Carr, he could be New Orleans’ starter-in-waiting.
He will try to assume that spot in training camp, where he will battle Jake Haener for the backup spot. When the dust settles, it’s a good bet that Spencer Rattler will come out on top. Where he goes from there will be the real story.
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Ryan K Boman is the author of the 2023 book, Pop Music & Peanut Butter: A Collection of Essays about Embracing Life with Laughter & Love. His previous work has appeared at The Miami Herald, SB Nation, Bounding into Sports, and Yardbarker. Follow him on social media @RyanKBoman.
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