The New York Jets are one of six teams holding multiple first-round picks in the draft, and because of that, there is strong expectation that this could be a class capable of changing the direction of the franchise, which has not made the AFC playoffs since 2010, the longest drought in the NFL.
Beyond the first round, the Jets also hold high picks in the later rounds, where teams often become truly competitive by hitting on overlooked talent, and that could be the case with the future of the quarterback position, already looking ahead to a successor to Geno Smith in the coming years
Jets Predicted To Draft LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier In the Fourth Round
The quarterback position for the New York Jets has been a complete mess for decades. Looking at recent cases alone, Sam Darnold didn’t work out and ended up winning a Super Bowl with another franchise, Zach Wilson was a complete failure, and even Aaron Rodgers failed to find success.
The feeling is that no quarterback works in this franchise, regardless of the player’s traits or the system around him. But beyond the inexplicable, there is a clear need to find a long-term answer who can bring stability and allow the team to build a sustainable competitive plan.
The solution for 2026 was to bring back a familiar name. Smith was the team’s quarterback from 2013 to 2016 and left without ever elevating the franchise to the expected level. However, Smith, who played well with the Seattle Seahawks and revived his career, is coming off a disappointing year with the Las Vegas Raiders and is once again trending downward.
Even in a class where the quarterback position doesn’t stand out, the Jets could look for value in the middle rounds, and in PFSN’s new seven-round mock draft, Garrett Nussmeier was the selection. He doesn’t enter the draft with the status that was expected of him heading into the 2025 college football season, which is why he is projected as a Day 3 pick.
In this mock, Nussmeier would be selected at No. 103 and would have time to develop behind a veteran while the roster continues to improve, providing a solid foundation for whoever takes over in the future. This aligns with the expected timeline for Nussmeier in the NFL, likely spending at least one year on the bench to adjust to the speed of the league.
Nussmeier’s scouting report highlights his main trait: processing. “He’s also one of the most advanced processors in the class, with moments of high-level pre-snap command, anticipation, and gunslinger grit on film.”
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He is still a prospect built on potential. He shows good processing within structure, working through multiple reads on the same play, is aggressive attacking the middle of the field, and has a solid arm that allows him to make all the necessary throws, but the positives don’t fully outweigh the negatives.
Nussmeier still throws with an inconsistent base, has dealt with injuries, and makes questionable decisions even without pressure. These are the kinds of issues that would expose him more than ideal if he were forced to play immediately, which is why this would be a comfortable situation for him. There is no urgency with the Jets right now.
According to PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric, New York’s offense ranked 29th in the league with an impact score of 58.7 grade in the 2025 season. The Justin Fields experiment proved to be a complete failure, which is part of why the franchise brought in Smith, who at least provides a more consistent passing game.
Nussmeier will need time and patience to develop into an NFL quarterback. He recorded 57 total touchdowns in 40 games at LSU and showed flashes of becoming a high-level quarterback, but his development will need to be carefully managed for the plan to work.
