Should Dak Prescott's Dallas Cowboys Draft South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler?
The Dallas Cowboys are set at quarterback for the 2024 season - well, unless you believe the Dak Prescott trade gossip - but they are far from that beyond this year.
That's why the Cowboys could look to take a flier on a quarterback in a very deep class at the position this year. And if the Cowboys are going to look at any signal-caller in particular, South Carolina's Spencer Rattler could be the one to make the most sense.
Rattler, once a top five-star recruit in high school, struggled to live up to that hype in college. After three years of mixed results at Oklahoma, Rattler transferred to South Carolina, where he began to showcase more of his talents. But all the reasons he was a top recruit out of high school is why he's an intriguing NFL prospect.
"Rattler is the home run swing," Bleacher Report writes. "His arm talent is a siren song. But even beyond the raw arm talent, Rattler's pro-style experience, pocket management and aggressive creativity all create the outline of a legitimately good NFL quarterback. He just needs a few years of stability and proper coaching to color in the rest of the picture."
Stability was something Rattler didn't have much of as a 2020 high school graduate. Once he got to South Carolina, he was able to feel more comfortable. And that will only improve on the NFL level.
Back in 2016, the Cowboys found Dak Prescott in the fourth round of the draft. They didn't anticipate for him to be their starter, let alone in his rookie season, but that's how it came into fruition.
The team employs former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance as well, but given how he was seen as the "emergency" quarterback a year ago, there's reason to believe the team may go after someone else. Lance is also a free agent at the end of the 2024 season, so drafting a quarterback would be added insurance long-term.
That time would allow Rattler to learn behind Prescott and figure out the style of the Cowboys offense, which has potential to be one of the league's best once again in 2024. And if for whatever reason Prescott cannot go in 2024 or beyond, Rattler may be a decent heir to give an opportunity to.
The NFL Draft takes place from April 25-27 in Detroit.