We’ve talked advert nauseam concerning the prime 4 QBs within the 2024 NFL Draft. With solely per week till the draft, it’s time to concentrate on among the different guys on the place exterior of the largest names.
Oregon’s Bo Nix and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. 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 get together, and that’s South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler.
Rattler has been by means 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 the most effective playcalling or safety round him, Rattler nonetheless confirmed development over his two seasons in Columbia and will see his identify get referred to as on the second day of the NFL Draft.
Right here’s what him intriguing on the subsequent stage.
Spencer Rattler has professional playmaking capability
The very first thing that stands out about Rattler is his fast, whip-like launch. He’s received 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 a whole lot of rollouts, sprint-outs and getting him out of the pocket, and his launch actually makes its’ presence identified 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 stage, and the expertise is obvious.
When he has his toes set within the pocket, Rattler is able to delivering some strikes downfield, showcasing NFL-caliber arm expertise and velocity. This rep towards Georgia on third and 15 is an effective instance of that, particularly beneath 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. Nonetheless, 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 possibly can discuss me into this!
Now let’s discuss a few of these stress responses as a result of … they had been diverse at South Carolina.
Spencer Rattler nonetheless tries to do an excessive amount of, and it’s everywhere in the tape
In his two years enjoying for the Gamecocks, Rattler was pressured on 36.5 % of his dropbacks. When pressured, his On-Goal Fee truly jumped from 60.9 % in 2022 to 74.2 % in 2023, however his sack charge when pressured in 2023 was a horrendous 23.2%. Meaning when he was pressured in 2023, about 23 % of the time he was getting sacked. Rattler’s stress responses diverse over the course of his profession, and the outcomes had been additionally a combined bag.
One motive I believe his sack charge was a lot increased in 2023 than in 2022 was as a result of he was extra prepared 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 cross for a primary down.
Now, let’s examine to 2022 towards Texas A&M. Whereas this cross 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 cross in there if he desires to. But, he turns it right down to roll out the pocket and full the cross. That’s extra unsustainable on the NFL stage, as we’ve seen with current draft prospects (cough cough Zach Wilson). Having the ability to win from the pocket beneath stress is what separates the nice from the nice, and Rattler remains to be looking for his groove with that.
I believe my greatest 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 can be behind them or too far in entrance of them. It is a fourth and two from 2023 towards Tennessee, and Rattler’s receiver has the leverage to the surface. Nonetheless, 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 the same idea, and Rattler completes the cross, 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 must try to stand within the pocket on each single stress look, he doesn’t must 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.
