What experts are saying about South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
COLUMBIA — With the 2024 NFL Draft inching closer and a class filled with notable quarterback depth, Spencer Rattler is starting to get more attention.
Rattler, who spent two years at South Carolina football, passed for 6,212 yards and 37 touchdowns, and rushed for 150 yards and seven touchdowns. He finished fifth all-time in passing yards and ranked first in Gamecocks history in career completion percentage (67.5).
The three-day draft begins at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) on April 25.
Here's what some NFL insiders are saying about Rattler:
Spencer Rattler intriguing second-round pick
Bleacher Report NFL insider Jordan Schultz tweeted that Rattler received interest from "half the league" recently, mentioning the Las Vegas Raiders, and reported that Rattler had several team visits, including the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks. Ryan Fowler, also of Bleacher Report, said Rattler visited with the Atlanta Falcons as well.
The Giants had a rotation of quarterbacks last season because of injuries to starter Daniel Jones. Jones, a 2019 first-round pick, tore his ACL in Week 9 after missing three games prior with a neck injury. He had knee surgery and is expected to be cleared for the start of training camp.
Schultz isn't the only person to label Rattler as a second-rounder. CBS Sports' mock draft has Rattler as the 57th pick (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and The Athletic's Dane Brugler has Rattler at No. 76 (Denver Broncos).
Spencer Rattler or Michael Penix Jr.?
NBC Sports Boston New England Patriots reporter Phil Perry said he would like the Patriots to draft Rattler rather than Washington's Michael Penix Jr. if the team traded out of its No. 3 overall pick.
"Rattler has this thing that I think is difficult to teach, and if you don't have it now, I'm not sure you can develop at the NFL level," Perry said. "Which is the creativity, the confidence, the physical ability to be able to throw from a variety of different arm slots off a variety of different platforms, from a clean pocket as you're being hit and still able to make big plays."
At 6-foot, 211 pounds, Rattler isn't the biggest quarterback prospect, but Perry said he still has a great, strong arm.
Rattler said he met with the Patriots multiple times at the Senior Bowl in February, where he was named MVP. The team reportedly is open to moving up or down.
"I have a lot of respect for New England . . . it would mean a lot but getting picked anywhere is a blessing," Rattler told Perry.
South Carolina coordinator Dowell Loggains on Spencer Rattler
South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said he has received a lot of calls from NFL people, even more in the past week, with interest and questions about Rattler.
"You're talking about an extremely tough player that's got an unbelievable throwing motion," Loggains said of Rattler. "He's a great teammate . . . you're getting a guy with high character. The ability to overcome adversity, he's done it."
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Robert Griffin III says Spencer Rattler will be 'QB steal'
Robert Griffin III, who played eight seasons in the NFL and won the Heisman Trophy in 2011, said Rattler has out-of-this-world arm talent.
"I think the steal of the draft is going to be Spencer Rattler," Griffin said. "Watch him make big throw after big throw. He never complained about the offensive line being leaky, he just found ways to make plays."
Charles Davis sees some Teddy Bridgewater
In an article detailing prospects he would "pound the table for," NFL analyst Charles Davis listed Rattler first.
"He’s shown he has the tools and toughness to succeed. I feel good about this young man — who has some Teddy Bridgewater in his game — and his chances of making it in the NFL," Davis said.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin.