Mel Kiper depicts Rams' QB interest as genuine in latest mock draft

Last week, reports of a scheduled meeting between the Los Angeles Rams and LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier naturally caught fans' attention. As long as the hole at QB2 remains, talk of any possible options will be a hot topic. 

The Rams have done nothing thus far to address it in free agency. Now that veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is off the market, Jimmy Garoppolo effectively remains the last best candidate in the open market. In the draft, Nussmeier may have overtaken Ty Simpson as a potential target. 

Of course, a meeting on the Rams' calendar doesn't guarantee the Horns are actually interested. It could be a distraction meant to disguise their true intentions. General manager Les Snead is cagey enough to raise suspicions.

Mel Kiper, however, is taking him at his word. In ESPN's latest mock draft, Nussmeier is the Rams' selection at No. 93 overall, giving them a possible QB2 next season and, perhaps, a long-term solution when Matthew Stafford retires. 

Rams have real reasons to explore Nussmeier as an option 

Kiper hits all the points that make Nussmeier a viable selection if Snead is indeed serious about taking a quarterback before Day 3 of the draft. 

"Nussmeier makes a lot of sense in Los Angeles. He wasn't fully healthy in 2025, and his play suffered. But the Rams can let him learn behind Matthew Stafford and evaluate him over the course of the year. And putting aside the future for a moment, let's remember that Stetson Bennett IV is the only other passer on the L.A. roster right now behind Stafford."

Behind Simpson and consensus No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, Nussmeier is recognized as the third-ranked QB prospect by both Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Network. There is, though, a significant discrepancy in his placement on their respective big boards: 93rd overall for PFF, 169th for PFN.

Penn State's Drew Allar, PFF's 96th overall prospect, is likely the last possibility ahead of Day 3 selections. 

Last year for LSU, Nussmeier did not put up the numbers to compete with Simpson. Results were mixed as a junior; Nussmeier led the SEC in passing completions and attempts, alongside 29 touchdowns over 4,000 yards, but he also topped the conference with 12 interceptions. 

His prospect grade at the NFL Combine projects his ceiling as an above-average backup. Being average at best as a rookie might be enough to beat out Stetson Bennett, who has yet to throw an NFL pass after three years in Los Angeles. Having depth of any kind would be a plus if the Rams don't plan on signing a competent free agent.

While Nussmeier's upside may be limited, Kiper is right to point out that an apprenticeship under Stafford could aid his development. Perhaps he won't be the next franchise QB, but he could carve out a role as the default backup, and certainly an upgrade over Bennett. 

If the Rams are meeting with Nussmeier legitimately, not to create a smoke screen to hide their interest in Simpson, Allar, or some other prospect later on, it wouldn't be the most shocking thing in the world.