Garrett Nussmeier is not a one-watch evaluation. You watch him once and come away impressed. Watch him again, and you’re not as sure. There are stretches when he looks completely in control, like when he reads plays early, gets the ball out on time, and fits throws into tight spots.
Then there are plays where he pushes it a bit too far, and it turns into a problem. That’s kind of who he is right now. There’s a lot to like, but it does not always hold together.
Garrett Nussmeier Landing Spots and NFL Draft Projection
The numbers are pretty apparent. PFSN has the LSU quarterback at a 78.43 scouting grade and as the QB4 in the class. That puts him in the Day 2 range, most probably somewhere in the second or third round.
It did not always look like that, though. Earlier on, there was some first-round talk. But the 2025 season slowed that down. He suffered injuries and missed time, and the balance was not apparent by the end of the season.
Physically, he is around 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds. The arm is good, but not something that covers mistakes, and he’s not going to create much outside of structure. Most of his game comes from how he sees things.
Pre-snap, he’s usually on top of it. You can see him working through looks, making small adjustments, and getting himself set. The ball comes out quickly, and that is part of how he plays. He trusts what he sees and does not spend much time second-guessing.
When he’s right, it looks easy. The issue is, he’s not always right.
He’ll take chances that don’t need to be taken. It’s not just once or twice; it shows up pretty regularly. Some of those throws work, and they look great. Others turn into turnovers or missed plays.
He is probably starting out as a developmental backup, and where he lands will matter a lot. The following are some teams he could end up on.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers feel like one of the better fits. Their offense leans more towards traditional dropback passing, and that’s where Nussmeier is most comfortable. He is not someone you’re building around movement, as he is more of a pocket navigator.
That is why this one makes sense. They’re usually patient with quarterbacks, and there is a structure in place. He would not need to play right away, which will probably help him. It gives him time to clean things up without rushing it.
Los Angeles Rams
The fit here is pretty apparent. Their offense is built on timing and anticipation (apparent in how Matthew Stafford plays), which is already how Nussmeier plays as well. He would not have to adjust much, just be more consistent with it. It is a system that could make things easier for him, as timing is everything. You are not waiting for receivers to come open, you’re throwing before they do. And if you’re thinking long-term, this fit makes a lot of sense.
New York Jets
This is more about opportunity. The situation hasn’t been steady in New York, and they are still trying to figure things out at quarterback. He could come in, sit for a bit, and eventually get a chance if things open up. He fits as that pass-first distributor who gets the ball out and keeps things moving, letting guys like Garrett Wilson do the work after.
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Indianapolis Colts
He wouldn’t be under pressure to play early here, which is probably what he needs. It is more about development here than immediate influence. He gives them a different kind of quarterback compared to what they already have. His time to throw was around 2.48 seconds (average), which is one of the fastest in the class. This matters for the Colts because they had issues consistently protecting last season.
Arizona Cardinals
This feels like a mid-round swing. Not a finished player, but someone you take a chance on. Let him sit, develop, and see if the consistency starts to show up.
