As the NFL Draft ended last week, this week has become all about the 2026 NFL Draft class as analysts start their work for the next draft cycle. As the new draft class comes into focus, every NFL Draft analyst puts their best foot forward as they try to project the first round picks one year away from the NFL Draft. Todd McShay is one of if not the best NFL Draft analyst and when he speaks it's likely because he's heard from a team what they think of the top prospects.
On Thursday, one week after the 2025 NFL Draft, Todd McShay released his Way Too Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft where he gave Garrett Nussmeier a glowing review projecting he'll be the 1st overall pick to the New York Jets.
Todd McShay believes in the Nussmeier leap as the LSU QB pegged as 2026’s top pick
Todd McShay didn't include Arch Manning or Nico Iamaleava in this Way Too Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft as he believes both will return to school following this season which made it much easier to peg Nussmeier as the best quarterback in the class.
When explaining his decision to make Nussmeier the 1st overall selection, Todd McShay said the following about Garrett Nussmeier.
"I think people are a lot lower on Nussmeier than I am, I like this guy man. I like his anticipation, I like the way he throws, I think he has to be channeled and bottled up a little bit. Son of an NFL Coach. Last year for Nussmeier was showing the world the flashes, the instincts, the creativity in the pocket, the way he's able to make some throws down the field in tight windows. But, it also was an experience of highs and lows, the highs are so high but, the Texas A&M game was a perfect example."Todd McShay
Todd McShay then went on to say how he likes the potential Nussmeier has and how he will be in the mix to be the first quarterback taken in 2026.
"I like the trajectory for Garrett Nussmeier and I think he'll be in the mix for QB1."Todd McShay
Where Garrett Nussmeier ends up being selected may end up coming down to whether or not Arch Manning enters the 2026 NFL Draft or returns to Texas for his Senior year. Garrett Nussmeier is a 5th year Senior at LSU which may scare teams off compared to Manning who will be 21 on NFL Draft Day.
The biggest point about Nussmeier's trajectory may be what the 2 multi-year starting quarterbacks did before Nussmeier. Before their final seasons at LSU, Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels would've been Day 3 picks but, in their second season in the offense developed into Heisman Winners getting selected 1st and 2nd overall. If Garrett Nussmeier can cut down on his mistakes and take the next step like the two before him he'll be a no doubt Top-5 selection.