Plenty of attention has been paid to the likes of Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson at the quarterback spot leading up to next month’s draft. That will no doubt remain the case over the coming weeks, but a number of other passers will be interesting to monitor as well. 
One of those is Garrett Nussmeier. The LSU product was one of several college quarterbacks who fell short of expectations over the course of the 2025 season. An abdominal injury suffered during training camp last summer played a role in Nussmeier’s fifth and final campaign with the Tigers producing underwhelming results.
NFL interest has still been generated, though. During an interview on NFL Network’s The Insiders (video link), Nussmeier revealed he is set to work out privately for the Jets and Rams. He added a top 30 visit with the Colts has been arranged. Like with all prospects, several Zoom meetings are taking place in Nussmeier’s case; he could also add further to his list of interested teams.
New York has, to no surprise, lined up a workout with Simpson. The Jets own pick No. 2, not seen as a viable spot to draft any passer aside from Mendoza (who remains on course to hear his name called first overall by the Raiders). New York also has the 16th selection, along with a pair of second-rounders and five Day 3 picks. Nussmeier could be an option during the middle stages of the draft.
Matthew Stafford is set to continue his career for at least one more season. Finding a successor for the MVP has been mentioned as a sensible priority in the Rams’ case for years, yet there is no long-term plan in place under center. An investment in the 2026 class may not be expected to yield a future QB1 given its comparisons to next year’s, but Nussmeier could serve as a developmental option for Los Angeles. The team also has a pair of Day 1 picks, along with a third-rounder and four Day 3 selections.
Daniel Jones signed a two-year deal to remain in place with the Colts as their starter. Anthony Richardson is still in place as a backup for now, but a trade is being looked into for the former No. 4 pick. Dealing Richardson would create a spot on the depth chart for Nussmeier or another mid-round QB. Indianapolis owns one selection in each of the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds along with two picks in the seventh round.
As is the case for several mid-round passers in the 2026 class, a firm draft range is difficult to establish at this point. Nonetheless, Nussmeier will be one of the quarterbacks worth watching as teams not in range for Mendoza or Simpson in particular evaluate their options.
More like Sussmeier…I’ll see my way out.
Taking a flyer on Nussmeier in the 3rd – 5th round range would be a better use of draft capital than Simpson in the 1st
Absolutely.
For the Jets? I don’t know. It seems to me that they should be one or the other-totally committed to the first rounder, or not waste time with another depth/developmental QB. Geno can hold the job for a year (or two, if he plays well) to let the team fill other holes, or to develop an offensive foundation; however, he’s not someone that you feel pressured about replacing as a starter if you have a new acquisition.
Really, if I’m them, I’d invest more in the offense to make it complete, and stabilize it first before picking my next QB, but there are a lot of signs pointing towards them picking that QB now. They’ve hired an experienced O.C., they’ve gathered a bunch of picks, and despite letting some franchise stars in their prime leave the roster (like Gardner and Williams), they’ve kept QB friendly players like Wilson and Hall. It looks like they could pick a QB early. Personally, I see them shoring up the roster a bit more. Tate or another WR could be the higher selection, and set up a new QB very well next year. There are several OL positions that could benefit from investment as well, especially after Ver-Tucker’s departure (and injury issues).