Could Spencer Rattler go in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft?

According to a mock draft from Pro Football Focus on the eve of the draft, the South Carolina quarterback has a chance to go among the first 32 picks. In the mock posted by Timo Riske, Rattler is one of seven quarterbacks off the board in the 2024 draft. That would break the record of six QBs taken in the 1983 NFL Draft.

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Rattler, who is coming off a season in which he threw for a career-best 3,186 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions, would be the projected pick who would break the record. Riske has the Minnesota Vikings selecting Rattler No. 23 overall, as a potential replacement for Kirk Cousins, who departed for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.

Is Rattler being drafted in the first round a realistic outcome? Here's what you need to know about his chances of going in the first round:

Spencer Rattler mocked to Minnesota Vikings in NFL draft

Riske's mock draft is an exercise of attempting to "beat the draft," as he explains.

"Armed with our analytical knowledge about the draft, Arif Hasan’s consensus big board and various scouting reports, I will try to create such a world,  constructing a mock draft that reflects how teams should approach their picks."

The Vikings, after a trade earlier in the offseason, hold two first-round selections. Riske's mock has them use their first at No. 11 on defensive lineman Byron Murphy II of Texas, before taking Rattler at No. 23. Riske's mock notably has the Vikings pass on Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. with pick No. 11 to instead pick up Rattler at No. 23 overall.

Here's where Riske projects the QBs to be drafted:

• Caleb Williams No. 1 to Chicago Bears

• Drake Maye No. 2 to Washington Commanders

• Jayden Daniels No. 3 to New England Patriots

• J.J. McCarthy No. 6 to New York Giants

• Bo Nix No. 12 to Denver Broncos

• Michael Penix Jr. No. 13 to Las Vegas Raiders

• Spencer Rattler No. 23 to Minnesota Vikings

"It’s not my fault the Vikings own this pick — my hands are tied if I’m being serious about the draft. At least the Vikings have the supporting cast on offense and competent coaching to actually make this work. Also, this is still a better use of resources than packaging No. 11, No. 23 and additional future draft capital to go up into the top five for Jayden Daniels or J.J. McCarthy," Riske wrote.

"Wait till next year, you say? The Vikings are not a bad team, so one would hardly expect them to own a high pick this time next year, even if they do play Sam Darnold at quarterback."

Spencer Rattler stats

Here is a year-by-year look at Rattler's stats at Oklahoma and with South Carolina.

• Career: 900-for-1,313 (68.5%) passing, 10,807 career passing yards, 77 career passing touchdowns, 32 career interceptions, 152.2 career passer rating; 410 career rushing yards and 16 career rushing touchdowns

• 2019 (Oklahoma): 7-for-11 (63.6%) passing, 81 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 155.5 passer rating; 23 rushing yards

• 2020: 214-for-317 (67.5%) passing, 3,031 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 172.6 passer rating; 160 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns

• 2021: 140-for-187 (74.9%) passing, 1,483 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 155.5 passer rating; 77 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns

• 2022 (South Carolina): 264-for-399 (66.2%) passing, 3,026 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 138.7 passer rating; 46 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns

• 2023: 275-for-399 (68.9%) passing, 3,186 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 147.7 passer rating; 104 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Spencer Rattler mock draft: South Carolina QB could go in Round 1, per PFF