Spencer Rattler endured a very long wait until he heard his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had to wait 150 picks over a span of three days until he finally got the phone call that he was getting selected.
Rattler earned praise for his arm and production at South Carolina ahead of the draft yet still endured his stunning fall. One insider on Tuesday morning detailed the reason behind Rattler dropping to the fifth round to the New Orleans Saints.
Why Did Spencer Rattler Fall to the 5th Round?
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler provided key intel on each NFL team after the latest draft, including Rattler’s Saints.
Per Fowler, the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos had executives and scouts place Rattler’s name high on their draft board. However, as many witnessed on Day 1 of the draft on April 25, both franchises took a passer with their first selections, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix, respectively.
The next option came at No. 13 with the Las Vegas Raiders — another team long rumored to be seeking a QB. Yet, that franchise “made the calculation that an Aidan O’Connell-Gardner Minshew II combo alleviated the need to reach for a quarterback” as Fowler noted.
Still, Fowler reports that some evaluators placed Rattler “awfully close to the same tier as Nix.” But now comes the burning question: Why did Rattler fall?
Fowler pointed out that Rattler’s fall pertained more to a need issue. Other franchises had to address their offensive line, wide receiver room, or defense before Rattler became an option.
Did ‘QB1’ Really Impact the QB’s Draft Stock?
But a subsequent, stirring question involving Rattler arose: Did the QB’s Netflix appearance harm his draft stock?
“One team source had zero issues with the perceived image concerns facing Rattler, whose appearance in the documentary ‘QB1’ during his high school career did not portray his personality in the best light,” Fowler said.
Rattler entered the draft with the rare title of Netflix celebrity. He was one of the high-profile recruits featured on the popular documentary series that followed his senior campaign at Pinnacle High in Phoenix. However, that series showed Rattler criticizing his teammates and being depicted as a lightning rod in the locker room.
But “QB1” didn’t prevent one Saints source from telling Fowler that his personality from that show was the reason why his draft stock lowered.
“Really didn’t harp on it much — it wasn’t a big thing,” the source said. “He’s matured a lot since then, like we all have. If there was a camera in my face when I was in high school, I wouldn’t have looked great, either. He was impressive in his interviews.”
Yet during the draft, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport heard a different take involving what evaluators told him about Rattler’s “QB1” spotlight.
“It did not make him look great,” Rapoport said during the draft. “And it is unbelievable how many different teams mentioned to me the image of him in that show and how they can’t get it out of their heads.”
Rattler’s Potential Role on the New Orleans Saints Depth Chart
Rattler is still walking into a deep QB room in the Big Easy.
Derek Carr is planted as the QB1 as he enters the second year of his four-year, $150 million deal he signed in March 2023. Taysom Hill still has his background as a QB even as a versatile running back/wide receiver option. The Saints also drafted Jake Haener in the fourth round of last year’s NFL Draft.
MORE: New Orleans Saints Depth Chart
Behind those quarterbacks, the Saints also have veterans Nathan Peterman and Kellen Mond under contract.
Head coach Dennis Allen, though, told reporters following the draft that Rattler can make a ton of throws. Rattler’s arm wasn’t the only thing that got Allen and the Saints convinced he’s got a spot on the roster.
“This is a guy who’s been through a lot of adversity, faced a lot of criticism, and he’s come out on the other side,” Allen said. “And I think that’s a good quality to have as a quarterback.”
Dennis Allen on the #Saints drafting Spencer Rattler#SaintsDraft | @GamecockFB pic.twitter.com/EnGFJAl66b
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 27, 2024
Even in a deep QB room, Allen and the Saints are convinced Rattler is someone worth collaborating with.
“Look, he’s got a skillset that we want to work with. He’s an excellent thrower of the football,” Allen said. “I think where we were in the draft at that point in time, this is a guy who was considered by a lot of people a couple of years ago as the potential No. 1 pick in the draft. There’s a lot of talent there, and that’s somebody we’re excited about working with.”
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Quarterback Rankings