Why did Garrett Nussmeier slide to 7th round? LSU QB goes from projected second-day selection to 249th pick

After days of anticipation, Garrett Nussmeier finally knows what city he will start his NFL career in. The LSU quarterback endured quite the fall from grace during the 2026 NFL Draft, seeing his second- to third-round grade wane as the spectacle wore on. By the end of Day 3, it was a wonder whether he'd be drafted at all.

In the end, Nussmeier found a safe landing spot with the Chiefs, who took him in the seventh round (No. 233 overall). Nussmeier will start his professional career as Patrick Mahomes’ understudy. That’s not the worst place to be.

Still, it seems a world away from where Nussmeier was just a year ago, when he was considered a first-round lock and potential No. 1 pick candidate.

A torrid senior season unfolded, making his flaws all the more glaring. In the end, those struggles cost him his projected draft slot. He’ll now turn his attention to cementing himself as an indispensable part of Kansas City’s quarterback room

With that, here’s what you need to know about Nussmeier’s momentous slide.

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Why did Garrett Nussmeier slide to the 7th round?

Nussmeier was a projected first-round pick heading into the 2025 season. His arm talent, anticipation and pocket presence had some hailing him as a future NFL stalwart.

The 24-year-old's progression stalled across a torrid final season in Baton Rouge, however. Nussmeier's production waned precipitously, particularly when matched up against drop-eight coverage. Injuries also reared their ugly heads during his final collegiate campaign; abdominal injuries limited him to just nine games as a senior.

When things are ticking, Nussmeier is a joy to watch. He has strong command of the pocket and can zip balls into tight windows for fun. He's also a dogged competitor, routinely playing through the pain barrier throughout his Tigers days.

Still, his lackluster stature and overzealousness with the ball in hands brought him detractors. In the end, it seems there were enough doubts over his ability to tank his draft stock, bringing about a tumble few could have expected before the draft. 

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Garrett Nussmeier injury

Nussmeier was felled by myriad injuries during his final year in Baton Rouge. Before the campaign started, he dealt with patellar tendinitis that limited his effectiveness. An oblique injury added to the concerns.

Nussmeier was fairly ineffective during his senior season, especially when compared to preseason expectations. The Tigers shut him down in early November, giving the reins of the offense to sophomore Michael Van Buren. Nussmeier finished the year with just 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns to five interceptions in nine games. At the NFL Combine, it was revealed that Nussmeier had a cyst on his spine. The cyst pressed on a nerve, sending pain into his back. It helped explain some of his struggles during the 2025 season.

Nussmeier has not yet undergone an operation to remove the cyst. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Nussmeier is asymptomatic. In the event that he were to elect to remove the lump, Nussmeier would likely only miss a few weeks as a result of the surgery.

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QBs drafted over Garrett Nussmeier

All told, 10 hurlers heard their names called before Nussmeier at the 2026 NFL Draft. Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson were likely candidates to earn first-round billing. Miami's Carson Beck and Penn State's Drew Allar were expected to compete with Nussmeier for the title of their draft class' third-most promising sidewinder. In the end, they took that title with aplomb, both seeing their numbers called in the third round.

Surprises took shape in the rounds to come, with Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Cole Payton (North Dakota State), Taylen Green (Arkansas), Athan Kaliakmanis (Rutgers) and Behren Morton (Texas Tech) all finding a home before Nussmeier. His nightmare ended with a call by the Chiefs' front office at pick No. 249. It was a long time coming.

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Garrett Nussmeier pre-season draft projection

Nussmeier was considered a consensus first-round prospect ahead of the 2025 season. TSN's Vinnie Iyer listed him as the No. 5 and No. 3 prospect in his first and second mock drafts, released in April and August 2025, respectively.

Here's how he described Nussmeier's talents:

Nussmeier's strong arm and experience as a downfield passer can build into early first-round appeal for needy teams.

Iyer wasn't the only analyst giving Nussmeier rave reviews. The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner listed Nussmeier as the No. 4 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft back in August, calling the then-Tigers gunslinger "a sort of on-field blend of Jim Harbaugh, Tony Romo and Baker Mayfield."

How the mighty have fallen in recent months. Nussmeier will look to find his form on a Kansas City roster that is expected to be without Patrick Mahomes at the start of the season.

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Garrett Nussmeier college stats