Garrett Nussmeier's Top Landing Spots After Day 1 of 2026 NFL Draft

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier didn't land in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday, but it's very possible he finds a home on Day 2, which encompasses the second and third rounds.

The B/R NFL Scouting Department placed Nussmeier fourth among quarterbacks (behind Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson and Drew Allar) and 107th overall on its big board. B/R gave Nussmeier a grade of 7.0 out of 10, falling into the 7.0-7.4 point scale (High-Level Backup / Potential Starter / 3rd Round). B/R NFL scout Dame Parson gave Nussmeier a pro comparison to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

Parson wrote in part:

"Garrett Nussmeier is a 'pro-ready' quarterback prospect and a natural thrower. His playing style resembles a pass-first point guard on the NBA hardwood.

"Nussmeier is a timing and rhythm quarterback, who delivers highly catchable passes at all three levels of the field. He is an excellent fit for teams that prioritize the quick passing game. Nussmeier will work particularly well inside a West Coast offensive system."

In March, Nussmeier revealed on The Insiders (h/t Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk that he was set to meet with the Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts.

"I've got a lot of stuff coming up. I've got the Jets coming in the next couple of days here. I've got the Rams coming into town. I'm heading out to Indianapolis," Nussmeier said on The Insiders. "I've got Zooms every day, and I'm sure there will be a couple more visits in there. So, I'm just grateful to any organization that's going to give me a chance."

It'd be stunning if the Rams selected Nussmeier after they chose Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick, so they're probably out.

Let's take a look at the Colts and Jets, though, as spots where Nussmeier can land. The Arizona Cardinals could also be an option as well.

New York Jets

Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini

Day 2 Picks: No. 44 overall

The New York Jets traded for Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith in March, and he'll be the team's starter in 2026.

However, it's unclear what the Jets will do after this season. The 36-year-old Smith's contract expires after this season, and he's coming off a down year with the Silver and Black in 2025. So it's possible the Jets could be looking for a long-term solution soon enough.

New York does have three first-round picks to work with in 2027 and could use one of them to take a quarterback, such as Texas' Arch Manning or Oregon's Dante Moore.

However, New York could opt to use its second round pick on Nussmeier and add a potential long-term solution to the QB room. It at least gives the Jets an option moving forward as they look to rebuild and move past a tough 3-14 season.

There's certainly no pressure on him to start with head coach Aaron Glenn emphatically stating Smith is the starter and that he would lead the Jets to the "promised land." Nussmeier can learn behind Smith and potentially take over down the road.

Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Day 2 Picks: No. 47 Overall, No. 78 Overall

The Indianapolis Colts have an interesting quarterback situation.

They re-signed 2025 starter Daniel Jones to a two-year deal. However, the contract has no guaranteed money after 2026, and the Colts can release Jones with a relatively palatable $8.8 million dead cap hit, per Over the Cap.

Jones was excellent for most of the season before tailing off a bit in the second half of the year. He suffered a season-ending Achilles injury on Dec. 7, but Jones told reporters in March he intends to be ready by the season opener.

It's certainly feasible Jones returns to form and continues his tremendous comeback story after injuries and inconsistency plagued his first six NFL seasons (2019-2024) with the New York Giants. He led the Colts to a 7-1 start, and Indianapolis looked like a potential Super Bowl contender through two months. Jones played a big part in that.

Elsewhere, the Colts have all but moved on from Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft who lost the QB1 battle to Jones last year and has requested a trade. He remains on the roster but has just one year left on his rookie deal.

Indianapolis also does have Riley Leonard, the former Duke and Notre Dame star who went in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft. In two appearances, Leonard completed 39-of-67 passes for 415 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

It's certainly feasible the Colts add to the QB room given the uncertainty around the position going forward, though. It's clear the Colts have interest in Nussmeier if they are bringing him in for a Top 30 visit, so perhaps that leads to him landing in Indianapolis.

Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Samantha Chow

Day 2 Picks: No. 34, No. 65

The Cardinals were long connected to Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in this draft, but the Los Angeles Rams selected him 13th overall.

If there was fire behind that draft smoke, and the Cardinals want to leave the weekend with adding a young signal-caller, then Nussmeier could be an option.

Arizona has a big question mark right now at quarterback. Jacoby Brissett is the clear QB1 for 2026 at the moment after he took over for Kyler Murray last year and did well, amassing 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns in 14 starts (12 games).

However, the 33-year-old Brissett's contract runs out after the 2026 season. In the interim, he's been holding out of the team's offseason program in hopes of getting an extension and being paid like a starter, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

It's possible the Cardinals do give him more money and security years-wise. General manager Monti Ossenfort told reporters Thursday that conversations are in a "good spot."

Still, it wouldn't hurt the Cardinals to select a quarterback and give themselves another option that could be their signal-caller down the line.