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.