As the 2026 NFL Draft pushes through Day 3, teams are scouring the remaining talent pool for late-round gems and viable backup quarterbacks.
The Washington Commanders surprised most of the NFL by selecting Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis in the seventh round over LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier or Illinois’ Luke Altmyer.
Why the Commanders Selected Athan Kaliakmanis in the Seventh Round
During a recent broadcast of “Football Debate Club,” PFSN draft analyst Jacob Infante expressed mixed feelings about the idea of a team selecting Kaliakmanis over other available options.
“Athan Kaliakmanis, though, is interesting,” Infante noted. “I am a little surprised that he got drafted, though I’m not necessarily wowed by his tools. Obviously, you know him being a seventh-round pick. You’re not, you know talking the strongest arm, the most athletic guy in the world, but I do think he’s an effective game manager. Honestly, I think there’s a good sense of timing. He’s got a compact throwing motion. He demonstrates poise in the pocket.”
However, Infante pointed out that other unpicked prospects might offer more polish.
“I personally would have gone with Luke Altmeyer,” Infante stated. “I’m a little surprised he’s still on the board. I think if you’re looking for a game manager, Altmeyer is a little bit more refined as a decision maker, making full field progressions.”
The data from the PFSN CFB QB Impact metrics backs up Infante’s preference. In 2025, Altmyer posted a solid PFSN QB Impact (QBi) score of 85.6, earning a “B” grade and ranking 24th overall. Meanwhile, Kaliakmanis finished with a QBi score of 82.2 (B- grade), ranking 41st.
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Despite the lower overall impact ranking, Kaliakmanis did boast an impressive traditional stat line in his final year at Rutgers, recording a 62.2% completion rate for 3,124 yards, 20 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 147.7 passer rating.
Fellow PFSN draft analyst Ian Cummings defended the appeal of Kaliakmanis as a developmental backup, particularly highlighting his physical traits compared to others.
“Early in his career, he caught my eye because he’s really volatile… but with accuracy and decision making. But the arm talent is real in my opinion,” Cummings explained.
“I think he generates good velocity. I think he has really good arm elasticity, in terms of angle freedom… Still a day three guy, but the arm talent is there for a backup role.”
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Cummings acknowledged the unexpected nature of the mocked selection, adding, “It’s kind of surprising the names that he went over, like Garrett Nussmeier has not been picked yet.”
While the final franchises navigate the closing round, the tension is mounting. Nussmeier was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs, but Altmyer remains on the board. This leaves fans and analysts eager to see if a bidding war in undrafted free agency awaits or if a team will finally pull the trigger before the seventh round concludes.
