Daniel Jeremiah compares Spencer Rattler to Jeff Garcia

Spencer Rattler

The top quarterback prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft — for now, at least — is Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler, whose game was recently evaluated by NFL Network draft analyst, Daniel Jeremiah.

Jeremiah’s comp for Rattler is an interesting one: former San Francisco 49er, Jeff Garcia.

“This is a difficult one to find. I don’t see any obvious comparisons for Rattler. My hope is that he will turn himself into a Jeff Garcia type of player in the NFL,” wrote Jeremiah. “Garcia lacked the ideal size/frame, but he made things happen with his accuracy, mobility and playmaking skills. I do think Rattler has that potential.

“When he plants his feet, he’s very accurate. And he has the athleticism to make the off-schedule plays that allowed Garcia to flourish during his time in the pros. Rattler’s not there yet, but I can envision the 20-year-old eventually arriving at that level of play.”

Spencer Rattler is QB1 despite questions in his game

Rattler’s final evaluation is likely to be all over the map, assuming he comes out this year. The recent success of former Oklahoma quarterback’s Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray will provide evaluators with confidence that Rattler’s game will translate to the NFL despite the Sooners’ wide-open offense and lack of defense in the Big 12, even if making those comps is a slippery slope.

I like Jeremiah’s Garcia-comp, and in my first walkthrough of Rattler, it was difficult to come up with a current quarterback who he reminded me of. He’s on the smaller side of the quarterback scale — both in height and mass — and his ability to make plays with his legs works on the college level, but he doesn’t present as the kind of athlete who will be much of a running threat in the NFL.

His arm is top-shelf, though, and that’s what NFL clubs will covet the most. He’s also only 20 years old; there’s a lot of room for growth, both physically and in mental part of his game.

Rattler will begin the season as PFD’s top quarterback. And it’s difficult imagining anyone passing him during the year. But the 2022 draft is poised to fall way short of the quarterback class we enjoyed in 2021.

Bryan Perez

Bryan is the founder of Pro Football Draft. His work has been featured on The Draft Network, NBC Sports and USA Today. Former CFL scout.

Follow him on Twitter: @BryanPerezNFL