South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Spencer Rattler, QB

Height/Weight: 6-1, 210 lbs

Age: 23

College: South Carolina (Transferred from Oklahoma)

Senior Bowl: Yes

Shrine Bowl: No

Oklahoma Stats:

South Carolina Stats:

Pros:

• Arm Strength
  Rattler has the arm strength necessary to perform every NFL throw imaginable. 
  
  
• Ball Placement
  Rattler has displayed the ability to throw his targets open with beautiful touch on his passes. Many rookies must be taught how to do this from nearly the ground up, so Rattler will have a leg up on other rookies. 
  
  
• Mobility 
  Rattler's mobility is a perfect fit for today's NFL; he has the ability to make plays with his legs to keep the defense honest, but he also isn't quick to abandon being a passer. 
  
  
• Improvise 
  Some of Rattler's biggest highlight reel plays came after being forced to improvise outside of the pocket. He keeps his eyes downfield, looking to make a play as a passer. There will probably be some coaches who want him to run in those situations slightly more, which is an easier fix than the other way around. 
  
  
• Quick Release 
  NFL play callers will love Rattler's quick releas e. It's one of the best ways to combat elite pass rushes. 

Cons:

• Size
  Ratter isn't the stereotypical QB in terms of size, with him being only 6'1 and approximately 210 lbs. We've seen plenty of undersized QBs succeed in the NFL, but some talent evaluators will be concerned with Rattler's size. 
  
• Decision Making
  There are multiple evidences of mental lapses on Rattler's tape. Sometimes, it feels that he relies too much on his pure skill and not enough on his ability to read the defense and make the correct read. 
  
• Sporadic Mechanical 
  Rattler has solid mechanics when he's not rushed by defenders. He has a tendency, though, to skip a few steps to attempt to beat the pass rush. Which at times generates some huge mistakes that just can't happen at the NFL level. 
  
  
• Mental Makeup
  Rattler's journey to the NFL draft is unique, from being the number one QB in high school on nearly every recruiting board to being forced to transfer away from Oklahoma after losing his starting job to Caleb Williams. He's been under the spotlight from his time as a high school QB on the show "QB1" to being the starting QB for a high-caliber Oklahoma team, and in each of those situations, it feels that drama followed him. And teams will have no interest in their QB being a player surrounded by drama at the next level. 

Player Evaluation:

The talent Rattler possesses is undeniable, and I think he, without a doubt, has the ability to be a longtime starter in the NFL. He just can't get in his own way on or off the field. His best fit at the next level would be somewhere he can sit behind an established veteran QB and learn the ropes as the backup for a year or two. As well as having a top-notch offensive mind on staff to help mold the mental side of the Rattler's game. I have a late day two-early day three grade on Rattler, but due to how many teams need QBs, I think he is a player that could go higher than any of us realize, as teams attempt to project how good he can be at the next level. 

Player Comp:

Floor Comp: DeShonte Kizer
Some may think this is too harsh, but Kizer had a ton of talent; he just didn't know how to use it effectively at the pro level. And I think that's the perfect floor comp for Rattler. If he doesn't land with a solid offensive coaching staff that can polish his game and get him up to speed mentally, I think this is his fate. 

Ceiling Comp: Smaller Carson Wentz
Let me start with the obvious: Rattler doesn't have Wentz's size. But once you get past that, the comp works out really well. Both have all the skills you want your QB to have on the field, but their mental ability will make or break them at the next level. We saw Wentz have an MVP-caliber start to his career, but when adversity hit, he folded like a lawn chair. 

A to Z Big Board Rankings:

Destin Adams' Latest Big Board: NA (QB 6)

James Foster's Latest Big Board: 63 (QB 7)