What happened
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier remains available heading into the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, a surprising development per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Tests at the NFL Combine revealed a cyst on his spine as the cause of persistent oblique pain that derailed his senior season. He is viewed as the best available QB after three rounds.
Why it matters
Ranked as the 14th-best overall player by some evaluators, Nussmeier's fall creates late-round value for QB-needy teams amid ongoing draft trades like the Saints' acquisition of edge rusher Tyree Wilson. This echoes prior prospect buzz, including Bucky Brooks' top-5 updates and LSU standout Mansoor Delane's selection by the Chiefs. Shifts team strategies in the high-ceiling QB market.
What to watch
Monitor fifth-round selections by QB-hungry teams like the Steelers, who have already taken QB Drew Allar at No. 76.