What a ride it’s been for Spencer Rattler. From the number one quarterback in his class, to unceremoniously dumped for Caleb Williams, to a couple of solid seasons at South Carolina. Is his dynasty outlook worth buying into?
Spencer Rattler Dynasty Outlook
The History
Rattler used to be the best thing since sliced bread. He was on a Netflix docuseries, the number one QB in his class, and set to replace Kyler Murray at Oklahoma. After redshirting his freshman year, Rattler took the reigns. Given his hype, Rattler met expectations as a redshirt freshman. He averaged almost ten yards per attempt on his way to a Big-12 Championship. His sophomore season was going to be the next step in a legendary college career. Well, until it wasn’t. Rattler was the preseason favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, then he was benched for Caleb Williams during the Texas matchup. Consequently, he transferred to South Carolina to finish out his college career and had his best statistical season since 2019 as a redshirt senior with a 19 to 8 touchdown to interception ratio. His film study (below) highlights the tools and decision making he already possesses.
The Situation
It’s still early, but Rattler has buzz to go day two in the 2024 NFL Draft. His scouting report predicts the same, and his closest pro comp there was Baker Mayfield. If he does get day two draft capital, it will keep him on dynasty radars. Draft capital almost perfectly forecasts a prospect’s chances in the NFL. Day two will let him stick around as a backup, but the hit rate to stay a long term NFL starter isn’t pretty. It’s currently unlikely he sneaks into the first round, but he can stick around NFL rosters with his tools and ability to make throws all over the field. If a team is looking for a physically gifted backup with minimum changes to their playbook, Rattler is the choice.
What To Do With Spencer Rattler in Dynasty Fantasy Football
Normally we break these down by rebuilding, competing, or stuck in the middle. Instead, Rattler’s value and outlook is impacted by format and how deep a league is. There’s no need to roster a backup quarterback in any 1QB league, unless it’s a ridiculous format like 32 teams or something like that. For ten team Superflex/2QB leagues, Spencer Rattler is also likely off your dynasty radar because there’s a surplus of quarterbacks to go around.
Bottom line, Spencer Rattler’s dynasty outlook is a career backup who can be an emergency play in multiple quarterback formats. This isn’t the kind of player you should be using your rookie picks on, and is more likely a taxi stash and a waste of a roster spot long term. He’s an undersized, older prospect who won’t get the draft capital required to get a real shot at starting in the NFL. He’s worth stashing in extremely deep formats over players who will never see the field, but he’s a handcuff at best. He could slide in as the backup in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Carolina or Kansas City but won’t start for any of them.
Main Photo Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
