Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has emphasized the team’s intention to bolster their quarterback position this offseason, although the specific approach remains uncertain.
While the Raiders are expected to explore quarterback prospects in the upcoming draft, speculation suggests they may utilize a first-round pick for this purpose.
Nevertheless, with several teams ahead of the Raiders in the draft order also eyeing quarterbacks, Las Vegas might need to explore alternatives if their desired quarterback isn’t available in the first round. One intriguing option in this regard is Spencer Rattler, the former South Carolina quarterback, who has garnered attention as a potential prospect.
According to Matt Holder of Bleacher Report, the Raiders are considered the optimal destination for the 23-year-old quarterback.
“Las Vegas is widely expected to target a signal-caller in the draft, but it will be out of range for one of the top three quarterbacks in this year’s class with the No. 13 pick. While trading up is a possibility, the Raiders could instead opt to draft Rattler and let him compete with [Aidan] O’Connell for the starting job in training camp.”
Rattler’s collegiate journey has been a roller coaster ride, marked by highs and lows. Initially hailed as one of college football’s rising stars, he earned the starting quarterback position at Oklahoma under Lincoln Riley, who had previously groomed two quarterbacks into No. 1 draft picks.
Rattler entered the 2021 season as a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy and a top prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft. However, his performance declined, resulting in his benching in favor of Caleb Williams. Subsequently, Rattler transferred to South Carolina, where he spent additional years refining his skills, ultimately earning recognition as the Senior Bowl MVP and reigniting NFL interest.
While Rattler possesses undeniable talent, his inconsistent performance renders him too risky for consideration in the early rounds of the draft. Various projections, including those from Draft Wire and Pro Football Network, indicate that Rattler is likely to be selected in the third round.
This presents an opportunity for teams to take a calculated gamble on him without making a substantial investment. As the pre-draft evaluation progresses, Rattler may even elevate his stock and emerge as a potential second-round pick, making him a compelling prospect to monitor throughout the offseason.
With numerous teams seeking quarterback solutions, Rattler’s fate ultimately hinges on a team’s willingness to take a chance on him, and whether the Raiders will seize that opportunity remains to be seen. The 2024 NFL Draft will be interesting to watch.
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