New NFL Draft Rumors on QBs Ty Simpson, Garrett Nussmeier, Cole Payton Ahead of 2026 Combine

Indiana star quarterback Fernando Mendoza is skipping the throwing drills at this week's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, leaving the other quarterback prospects in this year's draft class under the spotlight.

ESPN's Jordan Reid reported that Alabama's Ty Simpson and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier "are viewed as the potential QB2 and QB3 of this class" ahead of Saturday's quarterback workouts and explained why scouts will be viewing their performances closely.

"After their highly inconsistent seasons, scouts are interested to see how both throw the ball during the throwing session," Reid stated. "Simpson is still receiving a mixture of late Round 1 and early Day 2 grades, while Nussmeier's grades are sporadic. Some scouts see him as a Round 3 prospect, while others feel he's a Day 3 dart throw."

Simpson and Nussmeier are also ranked as the No. 2 and No. 3 quarterbacks in this year's draft class, respectively, in B/R's draft big board.

In his first year as Alabama's full-time starter, Simpson threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions. However, he's started only 15 games in college, and his inexperience could hurt his draft stock.

Nussmeier dealt with injuries in 2025 and disappointingly finished the year with just 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions across nine games. A strong performance at the combine could help alleviate some concerns about his inconsistencies.

Reid added that North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton "is also gaining steam, and his development is well ahead of the curve despite being a one-year starter." He threw for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2025, and he could improve his projections while showcasing his skills in the throwing drills.

"Early Day 3 is still seen as Payton's target area, but Round 3 isn't out of the question if he performs well during the predraft process," Reid stated. "Saturday will be key."