close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

    • What you need to know about Saints QB’s career
    news

    What you need to know about Saints QB’s career

    Vaseline Posted on

    play

    The New Orleans Saints had to bring in a new quarterback in Week 6 of the 2024 NFL season after Derek Carr suffered an oblique injury against the Kansas City Chiefs.

    The Saints faced a difficult decision. Would they start second-year backup Jake Haener or turn to rookie Spencer Rattler?

    In the end, New Orleans went with the move it felt had the most benefit. The Saints inserted Rattler into the starting lineup and had the 24-year-old signal caller quarterback them in a rivalry game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

    The Saints fell 51-27 in that game, but Rattler showed flashes that reminded many why he was once considered a top recruit and NFL quarterback prospect.

    OPINION: Tom Brady’s conflict of interest reflects superstar privilege in the NFL

    Spencer Rattler college career

    Rattler already started his college career as a well-known and hyped prospect. He was the No. 1 quarterback in college football’s 2019 recruiting class and stared in Netflix’s documentary series “QB1: Beyond The Lights” during his senior year at Pinnacle High School (Az.).

    Rattler attracted the attention of many major programs, but ultimately committed Oklahoma after watching Lincoln Riley develop Baker Mayfield into a top college quarterback. Although Mayfield did not win the Heisman or become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft until after Rattler committed, Riley’s status as one of college football’s top quarterback gurus made the Sooners an attractive destination for Rattler.

    Rattler enrolled at Oklahoma in the summer of 2019. He spent his first season as Jalen Hurts’ backup before being named the starter ahead of the 2020 season. Rattler played a starring role during the COVID-affected campaign, leading the Big 12 in completion percentage (67.5), passing yards (3,031) and passing touchdowns (28) while throwing just seven interceptions.

    Many expected Rattler to make a leap during his redshirt second year with the Sooners. He entered the season as the Heisman Trophy favorite but struggled to live up to the hype. After nine inconsistent starts, Rattler was replaced by true freshman Caleb Williams. Williams then started the remainder of the season, which led to Rattler seeking a fresh start through the transfer portal.

    NFL POWER RANKINGS WEEK 7: Where do Jets land after loss to Bills, Davante Adams trade?

    Rattler attracted a lot of interest before finally landing in South Carolina. He spent two seasons there alongside Shane Beamer and helped rebuild his draft stock by leveling out his play. He led the SEC in interceptions during the 2022 season with 12, but dropped that number to eight the following year with a career interception percentage of 2.0.

    Rattler declared for the draft after his senior season in 2023. By then, the four-year college starter was expected to be a mid-round pick and had done well to put aside concerns about his 2021 struggles Oklahoma to take away.

    Spencer Rattler college statistics

    Below is a year-by-year breakdown of Rattler’s statistics from his college days:

    • 2019 (Oklahoma): 63.6 completion percentage, 81 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs, 155.5 rating
    • 2020 (Oklahoma): 67.5 completion percentage, 3,031 yards, 28 TDs, 7 INTs, 172.6 rating
    • 2021 (Oklahoma): 74.9 completion percentage, 1,483 yards, 11 TDs, 5 INTs, 155.5 rating
    • 2022 (South Carolina): 66.2 completion percentage, 3,026 yards, 18 TDs, 12 INTs, 138.7 rating
    • 2023 (South Carolina): 68.9 completion percentage, 3,186 yards, 19 TDs, 8 INTs, 147.7 rating

    Spencer Rattler draft scouting report

    Rattler entered the 2024 NFL draft widely considered the best of the non-first-round quarterbacks in the class.

    Rattler brought some concerns — most notably a below-average frame at 6-0, 211 pounds and a lack of quality arm strength — but his good athleticism and five years of college experience helped endear him to NFL teams. He impressed during the pre-draft process by winning MVP at the Senior Bowl, and that allowed him to work his way into the mix as a mid-round prospect.

    DAVANTE ADAMS TRADING PROBLEMS: Who won the Jets-Raiders deal?

    Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had a Round 4 grade on Rattler, giving the quarterback a mixed review and questioning whether he had the traits needed to one day become a consistent NFL starter.

    “Rattler will still get glimpses of what he showed in his 2020 season as a Sooner, but will fail to consistently maintain the type of play that NFL teams are looking for,” Zierlein wrote. “He lacks the desirable length for a pocket passer and doesn’t have enough arm strength to beat greedy NFL cover men. He was better than some of his 2023 numbers might indicate, as poor pass blocking and drop-prone receivers often let him down. bad spots He can scramble and extend plays, but he is not a dynamic runner and needs optimal protection and separation to work in rhythm.

    “(Rattler) needs an offense that can narrow the field so he can operate quickly and find his rhythm,” Zierlein added. “He has the know-how, but may not have the tape or attributes to inspire confidence in projecting anything other than a QB2/3.”

    Many other draftniks agreed with Zierlein’s assessment, though some believed there was a chance Rattler could sneak into Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft after six quarterbacks went in the first round.

    When was Spencer Rattler drafted?

    Rattler ultimately lasted until the fifth round, where the Saints selected him with the 150th overall pick. He was the seventh quarterback taken off the board, but was drafted a whopping 138 picks later than the sixth quarterback drafted: Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos, who was drafted 12th overall.

    The Saints planned to develop Rattler behind Carr and have him compete with Haener for the backup job. While Haener dressed as Carr’s backup for the first five weeks, Rattler’s potential and mobility ultimately earned him the nod over the former Fresno State quarterback in Week 6.

    Now Rattler will look to establish himself as the latest successful quarterback to play collegiately at Oklahoma and under the tutelage of Lincoln Riley.

    AMARI COOPER TRADING DISRUPTIONS: Did the Bills or Browns get a good deal for the standout receiver?

    Oklahoma QBs in the NFL

    Rattler is one of five current NFL quarterbacks who played at least one season at Oklahoma for Lincoln Riley. Below is the full list of players, along with the years they started for the Sooners.

    • Baker Mayfield (2015-17)
    • Kyler Murray (2017-18)
    • Jalen Hurts (2019)
    • Spencer Rattler (2019-21)
    • Caleb Williams (2021)

    Vaseline
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like