Spencer Rattler headlines Saints’ Day 3 picks

The final day of the NFL Draft produced some drama for the New Orleans Saints.

While the Atlanta Falcons shocked everyone, including perhaps some of their own people with the pick of Michael Penix with the eight overall pick in the draft, the Saints surprised some observers by drafting a quarterback in the fifth round.

It was who the Saints drafted that is the story, a pick that rattled some cages.

Spencer Rattler comes to New Orleans with a checkered past but perhaps with a promising future.

Rattler was ranked as the top quarterback in the country coming out of high school but never displayed superstar ability, though he flashed some skill at the college level at Oklahoma and South Carolina.

Ironically, Rattler was the first quarterback chosen in the draft since Day 1, when a total of six quarterbacks, including Penix, went in the first round.

At one point early in his college career, Rattler was thought to be a sure-fire first-round NFL pick when his time came.

Rattler was not surprised about the Saints selecting him. The Saints had Rattler in for a pre-draft visit and he spent time with quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko.

Rattler spent three years at Oklahoma before finishing his college career at South Carolina.

Despite not living up the hype out of high school, Rattler compiled impressive numbers in college, throwing 77 touchdowns with 32 interceptions. He threw for 10,807 yards and completed 68.5 percent of his passes.

At 23, Rattler arrives in New Orleans with a lot of experience and a bit older, perhaps accelerating his learning curve and ability to get on the field, if he can play.

The Saints have Jake Haener, a fourth-round pick a year ago whom the organization likes. They signed a pair of veteran quarterbacks in Nathan Peterman and Kellen Mond. None of the three has distinguished themselves so there could be an opportunity for Rattler to wait and learn behind Derek Carr.

The fact that the Saints got Rattler with the 150th pick is a testament to a reputation dating back to high school that may have hurt his stock but that was a long time ago. Clearly, Rattler has physical ability better than a fifth-round pick. Will that manifest itself in New Orleans?

Virtually all network analysts rated the selection of Rattler as a very good one.

Rattler has a very good arm, can make all the throws, and he is accurate. The 32 interceptions suggest a daring passer and he is that but the talent is clear.

Aside from Rattler, the Saints chose wide receiver Bub Means of Pittsburgh in the fifth round, along with linebacker Jaylan Ford of Texas.

In the sixth round, defensive tackle Khristian Boyd of Northern Iowa was the pick while tackle Josiah Ezirim of Eastern Kentucky drew the nod from New Orleans in round seven.

Means, the 170th overall pick, has good size (6-1, 212). He was productive at Pittsburgh, leading the Panthers last season with 41 catches for 721 yards and six touchdowns in his second season with Pitt. Means started his college career at Louisiana Tech, where he spent three seasons.

Means runs well for his size, runs solid routes and has good hands. He has the look of a possession receiver who can make some plays down the field. Means was used in the screen game a lot with Pitt.

Ford (6-2, 240) was the 175th overall pick. He has some cover skills despite his size, registering six interceptions at Texas. He led the Longhorns with 101 tackles last season and improved his overall tackling skills. Ford has the ability to play special teams which could help his ability to make the roster.

Boyd (6-2, 320) was the 199th overall pick. He had 43 tackles last season. He is strong, a power guy inside who plays with good balance. He is not a pass rush guy but can hold his ground against the run, enabling linebackers to scrape and get to ball carriers and lanes. With only three proven defensive tackles on the roster, Boyd will get a look. Boyd comes from the same program that produced Trevor Penning.

Ezirim (6-5, 329) was pick No. 239 in the final round. He was part of a very productive offense at Eastern Kentucky. Ezirim started out as a defensive tackle before moving to offense. Ezirim is a good athlete lacking overall experience and lacking experience against top-level competition consistently but he has potential and is a player to monitor to see if he develops.

Overall, the Saints filled some needs but not all needs. They need Taliese Fuaga to be that guy and start immediately. They need Kool-Aid McKinstry to be an impact player. They would like Rattler to be a potential future starter. If any of the others pan out, this will look like a good draft, something this organization desperately needs.

SAINTS DAY THREE RECAP:

Round 5, 150th Overall – Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Round 5, 170th Overall – Bub Means, WR, Pitt
Round 5, 175th Overall – Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas
Round 6, 199th Overall – Khristian Boyd, DL, Northern Iowa
Round 7, 239th Overall – Josiah Ezirim, OT, Eastern Kentucky

The @Saints had three new offensive additions on day 3 of the @NFLDraft, QB Spencer Rattler, WR Bub Means, and OT Josiah Ezirim. @SpencerRattler @twoplayaBub @Josiah_Ezirim #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/xJp2WWtYZE

— Saints PR (@SaintsPR) April 27, 2024

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