ESPN analyst projects chances for Garrett Nussmeier to be picked No. 1 overall in NFL Draft
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
ESPN analyst Jordan Reid took a look at 14 players who could be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
One name on that list is Garrett Nussmeier, who took the reins from Jayden Daniels at LSU. Rather than declare for the 2025 draft after an outstanding season, he opted to return for a final year of eligibility and is considered among preseason Heisman Trophy frontrunners.
Another dominant season for Nussmeier could get him in the running for the top overall pick. Here’s what Reid had to say about him, listing him as a “serious contender” and putting his chances at going No. 1 overall at 15 percent, noting the fifth-year senior’s “smarts, accuracy, and anticipation”:
Nussmeier is a fearless passer who produces highlights with his uncanny ability to see big plays and throw his receivers open. The 6-2 200-pounder’s arm is more flexible than powerful, but his great pocket vision and anticipation on throws to intermediate and deep areas of the fields stand out. He doesn’t take many sacks (his 2.9% sack percentage was 12th lowest in the FBS), but can be reckless and put the ball in harm’s way — especially after breaking the pocket. This showed against ranked teams, as he had three games of two or more interceptions against those opponents.
Should Nussmeier be taken No. 1, it will be the 2nd time in 7 years and the fourth time overall that an LSU player has been chosen with the first pick, joining Joe Burrow in 2020, JaMarcus Russell in 2007, and Billy Cannon in 1960. Daniels came close to joining that club in 2024 but was ultimately taken No. 2 by the Washington Commanders behind only USC’s Caleb Williams.
According to bet365, Nussmeier has the third-best odds of going first overall (+450), behind only Texas’s Arch Manning and Penn State’s Drew Allar.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
