In the 2024 NFL Draft, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and New Orleans Saints signal caller Spencer Rattler drew attention despite being selected 138 picks apart. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted that although the draft placed them far apart, some scouts ranked them similarly, indicating that Rattler wasn’t necessarily perceived as significantly worse than Nix by evaluators.
Rattler’s fall to the fifth round was influenced by teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Broncos, who had already invested top-12 picks in quarterbacks and were reportedly high on him. However, not all teams were deterred by concerns raised by Rattler’s portrayal in the docuseries “QB1: Beyond the Lights,” suggesting that his draft stock wasn’t universally impacted by the documentary’s depiction of his high school career.
Despite being chosen later in the draft at pick No. 150, Rattler found a spot with the New Orleans Saints, where he’s expected to serve as backup to quarterback Derek Carr for the 2024 season. In contrast, Nix, selected at No. 12 by the Broncos, faces different expectations, as he’s anticipated to step into the role of first-year starter, succeeding Russell Wilson in Denver.
The 2024 draft made history by featuring six quarterbacks selected within the top 12 picks, showcasing a remarkable concentration of quarterback talent early on.
Nix’s selection by the Broncos represented a significant moment in NFL history, marking the first time a quarterback was chosen at the top of the first round by the franchise. Meanwhile, Rattler’s wait until the fifth round before being drafted underscores the unpredictability and variability of the NFL Draft process.
