Reporter explains why Garrett Nussmeier slid further in draft than Cade Klubnik

For a mailbag published on Wednesday, New York Jets/NFL reporter Connor Hughes of SNY mentioned that "it was stunning" that Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik and LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier both slid to the third day of the 2026 draft. 

The Jets grabbed Klubnik in the fourth round (overall pick 110), while the Kansas City Chiefs took a flier on Nussmeier in the seventh round (249th pick). Hughes addressed why the two signal-callers who were once considered to be first-round talents were available to each team on the draft's final day. 

Cade Klubnik's advertised ceiling may not excite Jets fans

"There are questions with his physical ability," Hughes wrote about Klubnik. "He’s a good athlete, but the size (6-foot-2, 207 pounds) scared teams off. There are real limitations with his arm. He’s a great locker room guy, a 'white-board warrior,' one coach said, but his ceiling is likely that of a backup."

The Jets currently have Geno Smith atop their depth chart and could soon sign one-time Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson to serve as Smith's primary backup. Such a move would indicate that a Jets team that currently has 2025 undrafted rookie Brady Cook and journeyman Bailey Zappe on the roster wants to ensure Klubnik doesn't take a regular-season snap anytime soon. 

Why every team passed on Garrett Nussmeier more than once

According to Jay Canale of LSU Wire/USA Today, analyst Dane Brugler said during an edition of "The Athletic Football Show" on April 25 that Nussmeier supposedly "didn’t handle some of the interviews the best that he could have" during the predraft process. 

"I was told there wasn’t anything wrong with Nussmeier’s interview from a team that took a long (very long) look at him," Hughes added. "They stayed away and went elsewhere simply because of the tape. It wasn’t good enough. That, combined with questions with the arm, led to teams going elsewhere." 

Nussmeier shouldn't see the field anytime soon while being part of a quarterback room that features three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes and 2021 first-round draft pick Justin Fields. One can only guess when Nussmeier and Klubnik will receive opportunities to prove doubters wrong during meaningful games.