A year ago, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was a projected first-round pick in the 2026 draft. But during an injury-riddled 2025 season, Nussmeier missed time and underperformed relative to expectations, leading a promising Tigers team to a 7-6 record. He's still widely viewed as a top-five quarterback in the 2026 class, but the hype that surrounded him at this time last year has dissipated and he's now projected to go on Day 2.
Recent mock drafts from ESPN and many others have the Rams selecting Nussmeier in the second or third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Out of the 1,442 mock drafts aggregated by Grinding the Mocks, the Rams have selected Nussmeier in the second round in about 6% of the mocks that go past Round 1. He's the Rams' most common projection in the second round.
This is not an endorsement of Nussmeier by the Rams, nor is it an indication that they are targeting him. This is simply a reflection of external media linking Nussmeier to Los Angeles in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here's a scouting report on Nussmeier and what he could bring to the Rams offense:
Scouting Report
Nussmeier is a slightly undersized flame thrower at 6-foot-2, 203 pounds.
LSU's offense blended pro-style passing concepts with a spread scheme that forced Nussmeier to throw various routes against different coverages. That experience will translate well in the NFL. He showed a pronounced ability to deliver accurate balls under pressure and fire bullets into tight windows. However, his tendency to force throws sometimes overshadowed his physical prowess.
"Nussmeier is inconsistent diagnosing coverages and working through progressions, which limits his ability to counter what defenses show him," wrote NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. "He plays with a gunslinger's mindset and doesn't consistently prioritize ball security. He has a compact release and can spin impressive throws from off-platform angles when needed. He will make a throw that makes you a believer in one series, but he often follows that up with a turnover that reignites the doubt."
In 2024, Nussmeier flashed his potential, ranking fifth in the FBS with 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, but his 12 interceptions in 13 games tied for fifth-most in the country and his passing efficiency (142.7) ranked 42nd, according to the NCAA.
Nussmeier has consistently succeeded at maneuvering in the pocket to avoid sacks, but his less-than-ideal processing and decision-making limit his upside. Evaluators were looking to see growth in those areas in 2025, but that didn't materialize. His 12-5 touchdown-interception ratio didn't inspire confidence, and his efficiency dropped even further as a result (133.8). Injuries played a part in that drop off, as he only appeared in nine games, but the physical gifts weren't enough to compensate for the mistakes.
Nussmeier is by no means a bad prospect. In fact, he has the physical tools to be a solid starter in the league, but the mental aspect of his game must catch up to the physical. For that reason, the Rams could actually be a good fit for the strong-armed 24-year-old.
Fit
Let's be frank, Nussmeier would be a development project for the Rams. Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford has already confirmed his return as the starter and head coach Sean McVay recently said he wouldn't be surprised if Stafford played more than just one more season. But Jimmy Garoppolo, who served as Stafford's backup for the past two seasons, is still exploring what his next chapter in football looks like, according to McVay, so the Rams have just two quarterbacks on the roster with Stafford and Stetson Bennett IV.
Giving Nussmeier the opportunity to learn under Stafford could give the Rams a long-term successor that they wouldn't have to scramble for when they really need one. Nussmeier's skill set as a pocket passer is similar to Stafford's (especially during his early days in Detroit), and learning from one of the best would certainly improve Nussmeier's processing and potentially ready him to take over the Rams' offense whenever Stafford decides to hang it up.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote that Nussmeier "can efficiently deliver from various arm slots without sacrificing velocity. He can make any throw he wants and isn't shy about testing quickly expiring windows — although those overconfident decisions can lead to turnovers." Sound familiar? Those two sentences could just as easily be describing a young Stafford.
"Nussmeier makes a lot of sense in Los Angeles," wrote ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. in a recent mock draft. "He wasn't fully healthy in 2025, and his play suffered. But the Rams can let him learn behind Matthew Stafford and evaluate him over the course of the year. And putting aside the future for a moment, let's remember that Stetson Bennett IV is the only other passer on the L.A. roster right now behind Stafford."
Bennett has improved during his time in the pros, but analysts believe Nussmeier has a high ceiling with the right coaching, and the Rams are well-suited to tap into that. Even if the they do sign a veteran backup, whether it be Garoppolo or someone else, adding Nussmeier to the quarterback room could be a forward-thinking move in the middle rounds. The Rams have very few holes on the roster. So after the first or second round, why not plan for the future?
