We’ve talked advert nauseam concerning the prime 4 QBs within the 2024 NFL Draft. Because the draft rolls by way of Day 3, it’s time to deal with a number of the different guys on the place exterior of the largest names.
Oregon’s Bo Nix (drafted by the Broncos) and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. (chosen by the Falcons at No. 8 in a surprising transfer) have been thought-about within the subsequent tier after Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy. Don’t finish the group there. There’s one other participant who can crash the social gathering, and that’s South Carolina’s (and now the New Orleans Saints’) Spencer Rattler.
Rattler has been by way of a whirlwind of a school profession, beginning as the following nice Oklahoma QB, earlier than getting usurped by Williams and transferring to South Carolina. Regardless of not having one of the best play calling or safety round him, Rattler nonetheless confirmed development over his two seasons in Columbia, and it’s stunning he slipped all the way in which to the Saints within the fifth spherical.
Right here’s what makes him intriguing on the subsequent degree.
Spencer Rattler has professional playmaking skill
The very first thing that stands out about Rattler is his fast, whip-like launch. He’s bought sufficient arm power packed right into a compact, 6’0 body that permits him to check opponents downfield. Due to South Carolina’s lackluster offensive line, the Gamecocks used Rattler on numerous rollouts, sprint-outs and getting him out of the pocket, and his launch actually makes its’ presence recognized on these rollout ideas.
I actually like this rep of Rattler’s from the Missouri sport which resulted in a 29 yard completion. Watch him get out of the pocket, however nonetheless achieve floor to the road of scrimmage, then put this ball on the dot to the receiver operating the over route. He can do that at an NFL degree, and the expertise is clear.
When he has his ft set within the pocket, Rattler is able to delivering some strikes downfield, showcasing NFL-caliber arm expertise and velocity. This rep in opposition to Georgia on third and 15 is an efficient instance of that, particularly below stress. South Carolina is operating a dagger idea, and Rattler is ready to transfer right into a throwing window on the prime of his drop. Nevertheless, this window is shortly closing due to a defender, however Rattler is unfazed, and fires this into the receiver breaking open over the center to maneuver the chains on third and lengthy.
You may discuss me into this!
Now let’s speak about a few of these stress responses as a result of … they had been diversified at South Carolina.
Spencer Rattler nonetheless tries to do an excessive amount of, and it’s everywhere in the tape
In his two years taking part in for the Gamecocks, Rattler was pressured on 36.5 p.c of his dropbacks. When pressured, his On-Goal Fee truly jumped from 60.9 p.c in 2022 to 74.2 p.c in 2023, however his sack price when pressured in 2023 was a horrendous 23.2%. Which means when he was pressured in 2023, about 23 p.c of the time he was getting sacked. Rattler’s stress responses diversified over the course of his profession, and the outcomes had been additionally a combined bag.
One cause I feel his sack price was a lot larger in 2023 than in 2022 was as a result of he was extra keen to face in and ship passes with guys in his face. This rep is from 2023, and Rattler will get cracked, but stands in and fires this go for a primary down.
Now, let’s examine to 2022 in opposition to Texas A&M. Whereas this go will get accomplished, it’s the method that I don’t actually like. On the prime of his drop this route comes open, and he can throw this go in there if he needs to. But, he turns it right down to roll out the pocket and full the go. That’s extra unsustainable on the NFL degree, as we’ve seen with current draft prospects (cough cough Zach Wilson). With the ability to win from the pocket below stress is what separates the nice from the nice, and Rattler continues to be looking for his groove with that.
I feel my largest gripe with Rattler’s sport is how a lot meat he leaves on the bone with inconsistent ball placement, particularly in brief yardage areas. Too typically, he’s leaving his receivers out to dry with passes which might be behind them or too far in entrance of them. This can be a fourth and two from 2023 in opposition to Tennessee, and Rattler’s receiver has the leverage to the skin. Nevertheless, Rattler places this ball too far on the within and as an alternative of a primary down, it’s a turnover on downs.
Right here’s one other one, on an identical idea, and Rattler completes the go, however as an alternative of a landing, his receiver has to show inside and the result’s being stopped quick.
Wherever Rattler results in the draft, he must be advised to make the job simpler on himself. He doesn’t need to try to stand within the pocket on each single stress look, he doesn’t need to try to be the superhero each single play. If he can iron these ball placement and stress inconsistencies out, a franchise may get a enjoyable younger QB.
