2026 NFL Draft: LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier selected by Chiefs in 7th round

At about this time last year, when NFL Draft analysts put out their way-too-early mock drafts for 2026, Garrett Nussmeier’s name appeared early in practically every one. He entered last season with the expectation that he’d be selected highly in the first round. It’s a reminder, when we hear the hype about the 2027 draft class at quarterback, that not everything works out as expected for draft prospects.

Nussmeier had an injury-filled final season at LSU, his numbers fell dramatically from 2024 and so did his draft stock. The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Nussmeier with the 249th overall pick in the seventh round, just a handful of picks before the end of the draft. It wasn’t just the drop in production that caused Nussmeier to slide in the draft.

His size, at 6-1 5/8 and 203 pounds, is not ideal for an NFL quarterback. Combine that with inconsistency in his play and too many turnovers — in his strong 2024 season he still threw 12 interceptions — and teams had reasons to pass on him. Nussmeier will try to show that 2024 was his actual level, and 2025 was a season tanked by an abdominal injury that affected him all season.

In 2024 he threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns. That fell to 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, and Nussmeier played in just nine games. There were reasons Nussmeier was highly regarded in the draft community a year ago.