From projected top pick to seventh-round steal—or is it a reach? The Kansas City Chiefs closed out their 2026 NFL Draft with pick No. 249, selecting LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. As Chiefs fans, we’re used to Veach’s late-round magic, but this one’s got more questions than confetti.
The Dramatic Slide: What Happened to the LSU Star?
Garrett Nussmeier’s draft journey was a rollercoaster that bottomed out in Kansas City. Heading into the 2025 season, scouts pegged him as a potential No. 1 overall pick, buzzing about his cannon arm and pocket poise. His 2024 breakout at LSU—4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns—fueled the hype. But 2025 brought injury woes, limiting him to nine games with 1,927 yards, 12 scores, and five picks. A cyst on his spine, uncovered at the Combine and linked to oblique pain, scared teams off. By Day 3, he was sweating it out, finally hearing his name called by the Chiefs at 249 overall.
As a Chiefs fan, it’s bittersweet. We’ve seen Mahomes turn practice reps into Super Bowls, so Nussmeier lands in the perfect spot as an understudy. But his fall from grace—from second-round projection to undrafted territory—raises red flags. Size (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) and aggression leading to turnovers (24 college INTs) didn’t help. Still, asymptomatic now and a minor procedure away from full health, he’s a low-risk flyer for a team that thrives on quarterback room competition.
Strengths That Caught Veach’s Eye
Nussmeier isn’t a finished product, but his tools pop on tape. That arm strength is real—a missile that zips into tight windows with anticipation scouts loved pre-injury. He stays composed in the pocket, delivering under pressure, which echoes the Andy Reid prototype. College totals: 7,699 yards, 52 touchdowns over 40 games. Son of Saints OC Doug Nussmeier, he’s got football pedigree and confidence that doesn’t quit.
From a Chiefs perspective, these traits fit our scheme. Mahomes elevates everyone, but Carson Wentz’s backup spot needed youth. Nussmeier’s accuracy on intermediate throws could shine in practice, pushing Pat and the young guns like Haynes or whoever else we have. He’s not overthrowing the depth chart tomorrow, but in a league where QBs like Kurt Warner emerge from nowhere, why not?
Filling a Team Need: Depth Behind the King
Do the Chiefs need another quarterback? Not desperately with Mahomes locked in, but depth matters after Wentz’s journeyman vibes and injury risks. We’ve burned through backups before—remember Shane Buechele holding the fort? Nussmeier addresses that perfectly at seventh-round cost: zero pressure, all upside if he develops.
Level-headed take: He’s no savior. Medical history and size cap his starter ceiling, and 24 INTs scream ball-security work. But for a team that won three Super Bowls this decade on late picks (hello, Creed Humphrey), it’s Veach insurance. If he sticks as QB3 or PS fodder, great. If the cyst flares or arm doesn’t translate, cut bait. Addresses the need without mortgaging the future—classic Chiefs draft savvy, even if it’s not splashy.
Highlights: Nussmeier’s Best Plays on Tape
Don’t just take my word—watch the arm talent yourself. This YouTube highlight reel compiles his top LSU throws: lasers on the move, no-look magic, and deep bombs that remind you why he was once QB1 material. Skip to 1:45 for that sideline dagger against Alabama—pure arm talent. As fans, these clips get the blood pumping, but reality check: NFL defenses will test that aggression quick.
Chiefs Fan Reality Check: Boom or Bust?
Wrapping it up, Nussmeier’s a dart throw in a quarterback dynasty. Strengths like pocket control and arm zip help our room, plugging a depth hole without fanfare. But injuries, size, and turnovers mean tempered expectations—no one’s trading Mahomes for him. If he pans out like a certain Texas Tech retread, color me thrilled. Otherwise, it’s a seventh-round shrug. Chiefs Nation, what do you think—future backup or trivia answer? Sound off below.
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