Spencer Rattler entered the 2024 NFL draft as a projected 4th round pick at worst and a possible 3rd round (Day 2) selection given the right scenario. Instead, Rattler slid into the 5th round and was selected by the New Orleans Saints. The 2024 draft set a record for longest stretch between quarterbacks taken at 138 picks which all fell between Bo Nix at pick 12 and Rattler at pick 150. Regardless of when he was drafted and how far he slid, I believe the Saints got a steal in QB Spencer Rattler.

Shortly after Rattler was drafted, Ian Rapoport suggested that the reason he slipped so far in the draft was due to how he was portrayed in TV show QB1 and the poor attitude he displayed. He specifically stated that several GMs shared with him that they could not get that out of their minds when thinking about potentially drafting the South Carolina QB. 

I don’t know if I buy into this completely. There have been numerous times over recent years where players with fresh legal issues are still drafted on par with or even above their draft projections. Take this year for instance, Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat was a projected 4th round pick and went in the 2nd after being arrested for a suspected DWI weeks before the draft. Rattler had zero legal issues and simply demonstrated an arrogant attitude as a 5-star 17 year old recruit. He said out loud what every 5-star QB would be thinking in that situation.

Adam Schefter shared a different theory which was that the 2 teams that liked him the most (Broncos and Falcons) both took QBs earlier in the draft. So, the demand for QB was settled early which led to teams filling other roster vacancies over QB. 

Pete Thamel shared that there were some concerns over his height and overall athleticism at the position as well as concerns that these average measurements would cap his potential to being a backup and nothing more. 

Could a couple of GMs have been concerned about Rattler’s attitude? Sure. But I do not think that this was the consensus among GMs. Holding this against Rattler would be similar to a hospital refusing to hire a doctor because they failed a test in high school. So, his slide points to either Schefter’s theory which suggests it had more to do with how the draft itself unfolded or Thamel’s theory which indicates that GMs were concerned about the physical stature and athleticism of Rattler. 

In terms of Thamel’s theory, I think we should know by now that the measurables are one of the worst things to judge a player by, especially a QB. Size, speed, etc. are poor indicators of a QB’s future success. I think what matters more is arm talent, football IQ, and leadership.

I think Spencer Rattler demonstrated all of these qualities at the University of South Carolina which is why I buy into Schefter’s theory more than any other regarding Rattler’s slide. Schefter mentioned that he spoke with several GMs who said they had a 2nd-3rd draft grade on Rattler, but ultimately, the teams that needed to take a QB did so in the 1st round with 6 QBs coming off the board in the first 12 picks. The demand for a QB simply wasn’t there and Rattler slid.

Getting a 2nd-3rd round quality QB in the 5th round is such a steal which is why I think New Orleans nailed this pick. 

Rattler’s career was filled with ups and downs, so I understand some hesitancy to draft him on the 2nd day, but I believe that he has starter potential in the NFL. This won’t happen immediately, obviously, so, in the long run, his slide into the 5th round may actually prove to be a good thing. Expectations will be fairly low given what’s invested in him, and he is going to a situation where he will not be called upon to play anytime soon. He will get to learn from Derek Carr, who has had an up and down career himself, but has remained a solid starter in the NFL for several years. 

He is still a former 5-star QB with plenty of arm talent. In college, he faced adversity and rebounded nicely at USC while posting an adjusted completion percentage of over 79% last season. He displayed good leadership in a frustrating season- a sign of growth for the former arrogant player. The resiliency he showed throughout his career to grow on and off the field will serve him well as he embarks on his NFL journey. In a good situation in NO, he will learn how to succeed in the NFL, and this, paired with the aforementioned talent, will lead to him being a starting NFL QB. Not bad for a 5th round pick.