Despite drafting a quarterback in the second round, the New Orleans Saints could be in the signal-caller market in 2026.
Pro Football Focus released their way too early 2026 mock draft on Monday with six quarterbacks going in the first round. Among the passers taken, PFF had LSU’s Garrett Nusmeier going to the Saints with the fifth overall pick.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13)© Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
The Saints drafted Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough with the 40th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Shuoug is expected to get a chance to start due to an injury to quarterback Derek Carr that is likely to take him out for a chunk—if not all— of the 2025 season.
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PFF acknowledges the team’s second-round selection but mentions New Orleans could remain in the signal caller market due to the high-level quarterback talent in next year’s draft.
Nussmeier is coming off a career year in 2024, throwing for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first season as a full-time starter. There was an opportunity for the LSU quarterback to enter the 2025 NFL Draft—and possibly be a first-round pick— but Nussmeier chose to return to LSU for one more season.
Although he doesn’t follow the recent trend of dual-threat quarterbacks, Nussmeier is a classic gunslinger with a rocket arm. The 6-foot-2 quarterback isn’t particularly athletic and tends to avoid running. While this form of quarterback play hasn’t died out, it’s getting increasingly rare to see a signal-caller enter the league and not pose a little threat with their legs.
Nussmeier is expected to have a big season in 2026 and is in talks about being a Heisman hopeful. With the Saints projected to pick in the top 10 and Garrett Nusmeier’s dad—Doug Nussmeier—being the offensive coordinator in New Orleans, the Saints could be in a position to take a quarterback in the first round for the first time in 51 years.
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