Garrett Nussmeier

The Player

Nussmeier is an undersized quarterback with adequate arm strength and mobility. He brings some durability concerns and a history of turnovers, but his instincts, pocket awareness, anticipation, and ball placement give him a path to develop into a starter in the right system.

He’s the son of Saints offensive coordinator and former NFL quarterback Doug Nussmeier, and his background shows up in his command of the offense. The younger Nussmeier operates with fast eyes, processes quickly, and works through progressions with confidence. His pre-snap control and post-snap recognition stand out, as he consistently identifies defensive tendencies and attacks coverage weaknesses. And his feel in the pocket is among the best in this class, reflected in a strong career pressure-to-sack rate (12.5 percent). His footwork is sudden and efficient, both on drops and when climbing or sliding within the pocket, and his touch in the short to intermediate passing game is a strength. He consistently layers throws with timing and anticipation, excelling on back-shoulder balls and red zone fades. While he doesn’t generate elite vertical drive, he can place the deep ball effectively when throwing on time.

Mechanically, he has a quick release and the ability to change arm angles. The ball comes out with good life on intermediate throws, and he shows an impressive ability to deliver off platform and on the move. He also thrives under pressure, with his tape showing a clear separation from his peers in how he handles high-pressure situations. 

A gritty, competitive player, he plays through contact and doesn’t flinch in the pocket—evidenced by a game against Oklahoma in 2024 when he returned from a shoulder injury after missing only six plays to lead the team to a 37-17 win. But I would like to see him practice self-preservation. He looks uncomfortable sliding at the end of runs, which is a concern given his aggressive play style, smaller frame, and injury history.

The Draft

Despite physical limitations, some durability concerns, and a forgettable, injury-plagued 2025 season, Nussmeier is still one of the top five quarterback prospects in the 2026 class. It’s more likely than not that he’ll hear his name called on day two.  

The Projection

A team will draft Nussmeier to be an early-career backup with the intention of developing him into a starter down the road. Tony Romo is the high-end NFL comp, but Gardner Minshew II and Jake Browning are also reasonable projections.