The Indianapolis Colts have been a team in quarterback flux since Andrew Luck shocked the NFL with his early retirement in 2019. Since then, there has been a QB carousel in Indy that now has a former first-round pick in Daniel Jones trying to revitalize his career.
While there is still hope Anthony Richardson will flourish and regain his starting role as the Colts starting QB, it’s looking like the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft is leaning more towards bust than boomer…at least in Indy.
So, what is next if neither former high first round picks Jones nor Richardson gallops into stardom with the Colts? It will likely lead to another high round pick for the AFC South hopefuls and a chance to land one of the talented quarterbacks in a deep 2026 NFL Draft quarterback class.
In putting together their first NFL Mock draft, Fox Sports Research has the Colts projected with the No. 7 overall pick and has them selecting a 4,000-yard passer.
Fox Sports has Colts landing Garrett Nussmeier in the top 10
A quarterback prospect who could’ve gone early in Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier is one of the arms the nation and NFL scouts will have their eyes on. With hopes of following the footsteps of Jayden Daniels, Nussmeier will have a chance to set his NFL Draft stock high, especially if he has another 4,000-yard season.
In linking Nussmeier to the QB starved Colts, the Fox Sports Research team writes:
“The only 4,000-yard passer from 2024 to return this year in FBS, Nussmeier is the son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and could've been selected within the first three rounds of last year's draft. He has a quick release and gunslinger mentality, both attributes the Colts could use in their QB room.”
Wouldn’t he look great throwing the ball to Tyler Warren in the Colts offense in 2026 and beyond?
NFL Mocks agrees that this is a great choice for the Colts as Nussmeier will be a talented passer who will enter the league quarterback ready, which is what will help Indianapolis more given the talent they have vs a QB who may need time to develop. Basically, they want to avoid another Anthony Richardson situation with a high round pick at the QB position.
It doesn’t stop at Nussmeier as far as potential fits in Indy. Depending on whether Arch Manning declares or not, it could change the QB carousel a bit. But, at No. 7 the Colts should still land a top talent who will spark excitement in Indy. NFL Mocks took the draft possibility further in our second full first-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft by having the Colts trade up and selecting Manning (if he declares).
That scenario would give the Colts the next generation of Manning quarterbacks but would also put Arch Manning in a position where he will have the giant shoes of Peyton Manning to fill. Unless that somehow happens (and it could), Nussmeier is the next best option for the Colts QB situation.