Is Garrett Nussmeier the third best quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft class?
According to a recent X poll, fans have the former LSU star as the emerging quarterback in the draft behind projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza and former Alabama QB Ty Simpson.
After showing off his skills at the Senior Bowl and a strong NFL Combine performance, Nussmeier is showing scouts and fans what he can bring to the NFL. Here are the poll results:
Who will emerge as QB3 in the 2026 NFL Draft?
— NFL Mocks (@NFLMocks) February 25, 2026
At 48.1 percent, Nussmeier captured nearly half the votes coming in ahead of Drew Allar and Carson Beck. What stands out about Nussmeier vs the other two quarterbacks are his overall completion percentage of 67.4 percent and his production when he is at his best. In 2024, Nussmeier passed for 4,052 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
If NFL teams are judging him based on that production and potential, he won’t make it past the second round of the draft. While he doesn’t have the prototypical size, Nussmeier’s plays big and is a quarterback who battles, which is a trait that should captivate NFL scouts.
What makes Garrett Nussmeier an appealing quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft
In ranking the top quarterback prospects in the upcoming draft in April, NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks has Nussmeier rising the ranks as the No. 3 QB ahead of both Beck and Allar which coincides with the NFL Mocks X poll.
Brooks notes Nussmeier as a rhythm passer who plays the game with toughness:
“Garrett Nussmeier is a streaky, quick-rhythm passer with impressive touch, timing and anticipation. As the son of a veteran NFL coach (current Saints OC Doug Nussmeier), the LSU product plays the game like an experienced field general who has mastered the nuances of the scheme. Although his slender frame and substandard arm strength are concerns, he can overcome those physical deficiencies with his instincts and football intelligence.”
It's the football IQ that is going to stand out for teams drafting on Day 2 of the draft. While Nussmeier won’t emerge as a late first round pick, a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers have been linked to the LSU product as a replacement for Aaron Rodgers in their offense.
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Despite a down year in 2025, Nussmeier is an extremely accurate passer, and as Brooks notes has great touch. In all, a quarterback who new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy can work with as he is known as a coach who gets the best out of quarterbacks. While Aaron Rodgers status for 2026 is still up in the air, the Steelers will need a plan at QB beyond 2026.
Why not Nussmeier?
A couple of other teams to watch for Nussmeier are the Cleveland Browns and the Arizona Cardinals.
With LSU’s Pro Day taking place on March 23, Nussmeier will have further opportunity to impress a team like the Steelers while proving that he is healthy and more the QB he was in 2024 vs the QB who was inconsistent in 2025.