After the retirement of NFL legend Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints have grappled with significant challenges at the quarterback position. Since Brees departure, the team has cycled through various signal-callers. They include Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton, in an effort to find a long-term solution. Despite these efforts, the Saints have yet to identify a quarterback who can provide the stability. The team had pressing needs heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
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The New Orleans office hopes that a high-caliber prospect might slip and become available in later rounds. To their surprise, former four-star recruit Spencer Rattler fell to the fifth round of the draft. Rattler’s slide down the draft board was attributed to several factors, but his talent and potential remain undeniable. A native of Arizona, Rattler played a total of five seasons in college football—three with Oklahoma and two with South Carolina.
His collegiate career was highlighted by an exceptional 2020 season with the Sooners, during which he threw for over 3,000 yards, accumulated 34 touchdowns, and committed only seven interceptions. However, Rattler’s performance in the following seasons showed a slight decline. While he continued to post impressive yardage, his interception numbers increased, raising concerns among NFL scouts. These issues, combined with the rise of other highly-ranked quarterbacks, contributed to his unexpected drop in the draft.
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By the time the fifth round rolled around, the Saints decided to seize the opportunity. Rattler was picked 150th overall. This choice represented a low-risk, high-reward scenario. Currently, Rattler is listed as the third-string quarterback on the depth chart, a typical position for a fifth-round pick embarking on his NFL journey. Nonetheless, there is potential for him to ascend the ranks should early-season struggles occur.
Derek Carr, a four-time Pro Bowler, had a mixed performance last season, guiding the team to a 9-8 record. But he also committed eight interceptions and seven fumbles. Should Carr encounter difficulties at the start of the current season, the coaching staff may opt to give Rattler a chance to showcase his abilities and evaluate his potential contributions. For Rattler to secure a prominent role, the Saints will need to provide him with a fair opportunity to compete for the starting position.
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His strong arm, football IQ, and pocket awareness are notable strengths that could serve him well in the NFL. The coaching staff is expected to offer him a chance to prove himself behind the scenes. They’ll focus on refining his consistency, accuracy, and confidence. If Rattler approaches this opportunity with dedication and a willingness to learn from the veteran players around him, he could emerge as a key figure for the Saints and potentially evolve into the franchise quarterback they have been searching for over the past few seasons.
