Steelers Linked to Project QB Hyped for Edge on Kenny Pickett: ‘Not Even Close
There are several different ways the Pittsburgh Steelers could add quarterbacks this offseason to supplement Kenny Pickett. But based on how the Steelers organization has publicly addressed its situation behind center this offseason, the safest bet is the team considering more calculated, subtle additions rather than blockbuster moves.
If that’s truly the case, grabbing a quarterback on Day 3 of the draft is a possibility.
While making an appearance on 93.7 The Fan on February 20, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson discussed that possibility and connected the Steelers to South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler.
“I look at a guy like Spencer Rattler,” Wilson said on 93.7 the Fan. “Rattler has better physical tools than Kenny Pickett.
“It’s not even close.”
Rattler completed 68.9% of his passes for 3,186 yards, 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in 2023. He threw for 10,807 yards in 48 college games.
Steelers Previously Floated as Landing Spot for Spencer Rattler
Wilson isn’t the first to link the Steelers with Rattler. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo suggested Rattler as a potential draft target for the Steelers on February 2.
“Rattler was a young phenom, throwing for 116 touchdowns on his way to becoming the consensus No. 1 quarterback in the 2019 recruiting class,” Fittipaldo wrote on February 2. “Five years later, after a tumultuous college career, he’s clinging to his dream of playing in the NFL.”
Rattler starred as a redshirt freshman at Oklahoma in 2020. Heading into 2021, analysts hyped him to potentially follow in the footsteps of Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray as a Heisman Trophy candidate.
Instead, Oklahoma benched Rattler for Caleb Williams, who is the front-runner to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, after five games. Rattler then transferred to South Carolina.
In two college seasons with the Gamecocks, Rattler threw for 37 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
Although he underachieved during his college career, Rattler could attract NFL suitors this spring because of his physical tools.
“Rattler grades out as an early Day 3 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he could feasibly rise into Day 2 range with a good offseason,” Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings wrote. “He profiles as a developmental QB with backup utility early in his career, but Rattler has the physical tools to potentially grow into a starter.
“As one would expect from a once highly touted recruit, Rattler has near-elite arm talent, concocted from a blend of hefty arm strength and diverse angle freedom. He’s a smooth off-platform thrower but also a sound mechanical QB inside the pocket, with good baseline accuracy.”
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