NFL Draft Rumors: Spencer Rattler 'Is Not Perceived as 138 Picks Worse Than Bo Nix'

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and New Orleans Saints signal caller Spencer Rattler may have been selected 138 picks apart in the 2024 NFL Draft, but some scouts had the two ranked similarly, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"Make no mistake, Rattler is not perceived as 138 picks worse than Bo Nix—some evaluators had him awfully close to the same tier as Nix," Fowler wrote.

Rattler fell to the fifth round in part because the Atlanta Falcons and Broncos, who were "extremely high" on the former South Carolina quarterback, already used top-12 picks on quarterbacks, Fowler noted.

Fowler reported that not all teams were bothered by Rattler's portrayal in the docuseries "QB1: Beyond the Lights," which highlighted his high school career. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport previously said Rattler's portrayal in the series made teams reluctant to draft him (h/t Awful Announcing.)

The Saints were able to snag Rattler with the No. 150 pick. He will now be expected to back up New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr for the 2024 season.

Nix's No. 12 selection comes with different expectations. He will be expected to slot in as a first-year starter as Russell Wilson's replacement in Denver.

The Broncos made NFL history by drafting Nix at the top of the first round.

The 2024 draft marked the first time in league history that six quarterbacks had been selected within the top 12 picks, as the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings selected new signal-callers by the time the Broncos came up on the board.

Rattler then had to wait four more rounds to hear his name called as the next quarterback drafted behind Nix.

The Saints drafted Rattler after he passed for more than 3,000 yards for the second straight season as a starter for South Carolina in 2023.