Garrett Nussmeier's Draft Stock Rises After Analyst's Surprise Pitch

NFL analyst Benjamin Solak suggests Nussmeier offers similar upside to top QB prospect Ty Simpson, potentially providing value later in the draft.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 12:33am

A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a football quarterback's throwing motion broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, representing the complex evaluation of NFL draft prospects.An NFL analyst's bold comparison of Garrett Nussmeier to a top QB prospect could unlock hidden value in the 2026 draft.Baton Rouge Today

Garrett Nussmeier, the LSU quarterback, has seen his draft stock rise after a strong pre-draft showing, including winning MVP at the Senior Bowl. One NFL analyst, Benjamin Solak, has made a surprising pitch, suggesting that Nussmeier offers similar upside to top QB prospect Ty Simpson and could provide value if selected a few rounds later.

Why it matters

Nussmeier was once considered a potential first-round pick, but his 2025 season at LSU was up-and-down due to injuries and the team's overall struggles. This analyst comparison to Ty Simpson, a highly touted QB prospect, could help Nussmeier regain some of that early-round buzz and potentially be selected earlier than expected in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The details

After a disappointing 2025 season, Nussmeier has bounced back during the pre-draft process, impressing at the Senior Bowl and Combine. While he's no longer being discussed as a top-tier QB prospect, he's still highly regarded and could provide value for teams looking to take a swing on a talented quarterback later in the draft. Solak's comparison to Ty Simpson, a player expected to go much higher, suggests Nussmeier may be undervalued and could outperform his draft position if he lands in the right situation.

  • Nussmeier won MVP at the 2026 Senior Bowl in January.
  • Nussmeier had a solid performance at the 2026 NFL Combine in February.

The players

Garrett Nussmeier

The LSU quarterback whose draft stock is rising after a strong pre-draft showing, including winning MVP at the Senior Bowl.

Ty Simpson

A highly touted quarterback prospect who is expected to be selected much earlier than Nussmeier in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Benjamin Solak

An NFL analyst who has made a surprising pitch suggesting that Nussmeier offers similar upside to Ty Simpson and could provide value if selected a few rounds later.

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What they’re saying

“If you like Ty Simpson … you should also like Garrett Nussmeier a few rounds later.”

— Benjamin Solak, NFL Analyst

What’s next

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, scouts and analysts will continue to evaluate Garrett Nussmeier's draft stock and potential fit with various teams. His performance during the pre-draft process will be closely watched to see if he can solidify his status as a mid-round quarterback prospect with upside.

The takeaway

Garrett Nussmeier's draft stock has rebounded after a disappointing 2025 season, and an NFL analyst's surprising comparison to top QB prospect Ty Simpson suggests he could provide value for teams looking to take a chance on a talented quarterback later in the draft. Nussmeier's ability to capitalize on his pre-draft momentum will be crucial in determining where he is selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.