Spencer Rattler Waiver Wire Fantasy Outlook Week 6: Is Saints QB a good pickup?

Spencer Rattler is finally here. On Wednesday, the New Orleans Saints announced that the rookie quarterback will start the Week 6 game against divisional rivals Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a rib injury to main man Derek Carr.

Speaking about the decision, coach Dennis Allen said:

"We're excited about him getting the opportunity to go in there, and we'll let him go play and see what he can do."

Starting a game in one's rookie season is a very demanding challenge, but does the fifth-round pick out of Oklahoma and SoCar have a strong case to be a surprise sleeper? Let's find out:

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Spencer Rattler Week 6 fantasy outlook: Is he a good waiver wire pickup?

New Orleans Saints v Arizona Cardinals - Source: Getty

The 2024 draft can easily be considered one of the most talented in NFL history, with six quarterbacks going in the first round. But after Bo Nix, no passer went in the next three rounds, including the entire second day.

One of the most unfortunate victims of this stretch was Spencer Rattler, who had to wait until Round 5, no. 150 to hear his name called. Despite a strong preseason performance that saw him complete 20-of-38 attempts for 202 yards and a touchdowns, as well as rush seven times for 26 and another score, he was put at third-string, behind sophomore Jake Haener.

But now that he's getting a starting opportunity, one must first assess the strength of the cast he will be working with before determining whether he's a good waiver wire addition. The prognostics don't show a good case, though.

First, Spencer Rattler entered the league just after the Saints had ditched record-breaking wide receiver Michael Thomas. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed have been a decent replacement duo but are not on his level. The other wide receivers are Cedrick Wilson Jr. and a pair of rookies, which doesn't inspire confidence in the deep-threat game.

That will mean having either throw to tight ends like Foster Moerau or handing off to the running back duo of Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams, and the Buccaneers have a monstrous front seven that could stop it.

Nose tackle Vita Vea and defensive ends Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall command a line that creates pass-rushing and run stopping opportunities for linebackers YaYa Diaby, Lavonte David, KJ Britt and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. In case that fails, there's the safety duo of Jordan Whitehead and Antoine Winfield Jr., each adept at coverage.

Considering all that, the prediction will be another New Orleans loss, so it's best to put Spencer Rattler in a waiver wire. There are just too many better rookie quarterbacks for fantasy players to invest in than him.