Spencer Rattler analysis

The New Orleans Saints added a high level of intrigue on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft.

It's not often you get someone late in the draft whom you look at and think could potentially be a starting quarterback, but New Orleans did just that by drafting Spencer Rattler in the fifth round (No. 150 overall).

Saints select QB Spencer Rattler with the 150th overall pick pic.twitter.com/fksOIOgNgt— NOF (@nofnetwork) April 27, 2024

Everyone has an opinion about Rattler, whether it's from losing his job to Caleb Williams at Oklahoma or from the impression he made starring on Netflix's "QB1" show. But he's grown up since then and has more talent than your typical fifth-round pick.

Rattler just concluded an excellent senior season at South Carolina. He completed 68.9% of his passes for 3,186 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He then went to the Senior Bowl and won MVP honors there. A lot still has to come together for him, but Rattler has the pure talent that could allow him to develop into a starting quarterback.

A decision the @Saints won’t regret!⁰⁰Go be great, @SpencerRattler! pic.twitter.com/O4PSKFasOk— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) April 27, 2024

THE FIT

Rattler joins a group of quarterbacks, which currently includes Derek Carr, Jake Haener, Nathan Peterman, and Kellen Mond. Haener is expected to be the top backup, but he will now face stiffer competition for that role from Rattler.

It's hard not to get ahead of yourself when a player this talented joins the team. But if everything goes right and Rattler ends up being the successor, it's worth noting now that Carr is under contract for three more seasons, and the structure of his contract means he is likely here for at least two more.

For now, the Saints typically only carry three quarterbacks, and those are likely to be Carr, Haener and Rattler. Peterman and Mond are on minimum contracts, so New Orleans can easily release them without penalty this offseason.

Rattler's style should fit this offense. He's a pure passer with incredible talent and upside. The main questions about him are his maturity and arrogance. Scouts we reached out to immediately after the pick all lauded the selection. Rattler is said to have matured over the years, but he had made enough negative impressions when he was young that some in the sport can't get past it. It's something he had to overcome and must continue to overcome.

People in South Carolina never saw any issues with Rattler, and sources say he handled his benching at Oklahoma as well as he possibly could have.

"I never watched the Netflix documentary," South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. "I never saw that, and I still don't know what that is. But when I was trying to decide whether I wanted to accept this role at South Carolina I heard stories just like everyone has.

"The guy that I got to coach for a year, I'm a better person for coaching him. I saw a guy who was a great teammate. I saw a guy who was humble and treated people well. Our quarterback room was extremely close because of his leadership. He was the leader of the quarterback room, not myself."

Rattler will have to show the same things here, and, hopefully, he will. He'll also have time to grow and develop behind the scenes, and he can try to prove the world wrong whenever he gets the chance to show his talent.

Saints QB Spencer Rattler on the highs and lows during his college career pic.twitter.com/m8rby8VRk2— NOF (@nofnetwork) April 27, 2024

THE BREAKDOWN

Rattler doesn't need to prove much from a pure passing standpoint. He can make every throw and has easy arm talent. His release is quick, and he throws with touch. Rattler also looks as comfortable outside the pocket as he does inside of it.

He can throw deep, stress out a defense and can beat both man and zone overages with his arm. Rattler is also great on play-action attempts, making him a fit for Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. It's not often you can say a fifth-round pick can elevate his teammates, but Rattler has that kind of talent.

Sometimes, however, he makes poor decisions and can look a little rattled. He needs to become more consistent and avoid unnecessary risks. If he can protect the ball better, it would go a long way toward him fulfilling his potential. He'll have plenty of time to work on those things, and it's worth noting he made year-over-year progress in these areas while at South Carolina.

Rattler can become a legitimate NFL starter. The physical tools are all there. If he continues to improve his decision-making and polishes up a few things, he could end up a steal in this draft.

The fact is, he's probably the most talented quarterback the team has drafted since Mickey Loomis took over as general manager.

He certainly has more pure upside and talent than Garrett Grayson, Ian Book, Tommy Stevens and Sean Canfield. He'll now have to prove it against Haener, and if he accomplishes that, he can set his sights even higher up the depth chart as a goal for a few years down the road.

But one step at a time.