Broncos were 'really impressed' with Spencer Rattler in pre-draft process

This spring, the Denver Broncos met with South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler at the NFL combine and attended his pro day, then they had a private workout with the QB. The Broncos certainly did their homework on the Gamecocks, and he studied up for his meetings with Denver’s staff.

On draft day, Oregon quarterback Bo Nix fell to the Broncos at pick No. 12. Had Nix not been available, Denver might have turned to Rattler.

“I think they had a mid-second to early third-round grade on him,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported after the draft.

Rattler ended up falling all the way to the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round. He’s now set to start against Nix and the Broncos on Thursday.

“We spent a lot of time with him,” coach Sean Payton said this week. “I’d say there was five [quarterbacks were considered]. Pro day and then we had a private workout. We were all in Phoenix — the Scottsdale area, where he’s from. Steak dinner, the whole nine yards. Tested [him] in the morning [and watched him] throw. He did really well.

“It’s not surprising to see [him have success]. … There’s a calmness when he plays. He too has been through the adversity early on. Coming out of high school, to Oklahoma and then transferring. There is a confidence when he’s on the field. You see that in the preseason and last week. It’s not too big for him, and he has a live arm. We were really impressed. Not that it matters, but we had him graded higher, and I’m sure the Saints did as well. It got to a point where you just had to take the grade, but he was impressive.”

Rattler will make his second career start against Denver.

Thursday’s game will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video.