Cardinals Rough Draft: Qb Garrett Nussmeier

The Arizona Cardinals quarterback room currently consists of Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, and Kedon Slovis. Brissett is 33 years old and with his seventh NFL team, Minshew will turn 30 this spring while playing for his sixth club, and Slovis is entering his third year in the league.

Are the Cardinals satisfied with the room?

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Perhaps the new coaching staff views Slovis (6’-3”, 205 pounds) as the QB of the future. After all, he was named First Team All-Pac 12 one year playing for a major program in USC.Over his college career, he passed for 11,689 yards, 80 touchdowns, 39 interceptions, and a 64.5% completion rate. However, he hasn’t played much.

Both Brissett and Minshew are under contract for the 2026 season, and then will become unrestricted free agents. Of course, they can be signed to an extension during the upcoming season if the Cardinals decide to retain their services or let them seek other employment.

With a new head coach in Mike LaFleur, who just happens to be an offensive mind, he may want to groom his own new young guy and take a quarterback in this year’s NFL draft.  

QB Garrett Nussmeier

Draft projection: Round 3

Cardinals pick: #65

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Specifics:

College: LSU

Height: 6’-2”

Weight: 172 pounds

40-time: 4.82

Career Attempts: 1,032

Career Completions: 660

Career Yards: 7,699

Career Total Passing Touchdowns: 52

Career Interceptions: 24

Career QB Rating: 138.6

Career Rushing Attempts: 70

Career Rushing Yards: -153

Career Total Rushing Touchdowns: 5

Career games: 40

Accolades: Senior Bowl MVP, 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl MVP, 2024 Texas Bowl MVP, SEC Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2025)

Positives:

• Arm talent is undeniable
• Excels in systems emphasizing play-action
• Proven production against elite competition
• Legitimate starter potential
• Command at the line of scrimmage
• Tight, catchable ball delivery
• Toughness in the pocket
• Will adapt to various defensive looks
• Ability to make plays out of structure

Negatives:

• Can he withstand the physical demands of the NFL
• Body growth and durability a concern
• A clunky mover
• Inability to evade defenders
• Work on protecting the football
• Improve accuracy on drive throws
• Limited physical traits
• Limited arm strength

Expert Draft Site Analysis

NFL Mock Database

Nussmeier’s steadiness in managing the pocket and working within structure reflects his pro-ready skillset, especially in terms of timing, accuracy, and velocity. While he excels in making plays down the field and attacking tight windows, concerns about turnover-worthy decisions and variance under pressure persist. His scheme versatility and processing abilities align well with West Coast or rhythm-based NFL systems, akin to quarterbacks like Joe Burrow. Though he may lack elite traits, Nussmeier’s playmaking outside of structure and knack for extending plays give him a path to upside.