One of the early questions that sprouted up around the Cleveland Browns and their approach to next week’s NFL draft was whether the team, with arguably the worst quarterback situation in the NFL, would find its way to drafting the player widely considered to be the No. 2 incoming quarterback behind Fernando Mendoza. That would be Ty Simpson of Alabama, who is not only a prospect in this draft, but also comes with connections to new Browns coach Todd Monken.
Simpson was recruited to the University of Georgia by Monken when he was the offensive coordinator there, before Monken moved on to the Ravens. Monken had been the head coach at Southern Miss, too, where he had gotten to know Simpson’s father, who was an alum of the school.
They’re loose ties, but they at least raised the possibility that the Browns would take Simpson either at No. 6 or No. 24. Except that, since those ties were first raised, the Browns have shown no inclination toward picking Simpson, or using an early pick on a QB at all. And that’s a good thing for former coach and commentator Lance Reisland, who thinks the Browns should be targeting Garrett Nussmeier ahead of Simpson, anyway.
Browns Eyeing Garrett Nussmeier Over Ty Simpson?
Speaking on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, Reisland was going through potential quarterback options for the Browns and, significantly, he had Simpson low on his list–some, including ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky and former GM Mike Tannenbaum, insist that Simpson will be a first-round pick.
But Reisland said Nussmeier would be a better choice for the Browns, in what is a decidedly weak QB class. “I am picking Garrett Nussmeier,” he said. “I am not taking Ty Simpson. There’s a lot of things to do, but for me, Garrett Nussmeier works a little better under pressure.”
NFL Draft Weak on Quarterbacks
The fact this this group is weak is the reason that the Browns are likely to pass on early quarterbacks, despite a likely competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson–one guy who struggled as a rookie and another guy who is coming off back-to-back Achilles surgeries.
But what makes this bunch weak?
Said Reisland: “Now, all these guys, that’s where the drop-off happens for them if you watched them in the fall. Everybody’s pretty good within structure, everybody’s OK when everything is perfect, but not a lot of them have elite traits for when you get into trouble—you have a rocket arm, when you get in trouble, you can move your feet and get out of the way, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen. Or when you have a rocket, Cam Ward, I am just going to flick it.
“I don’t think any of these guys have that. You’re not going to be in a perfect structure, you’re going to be in trouble.”
Browns Might Like Garrett Nussmeier’s Junior Tape
The Browns could find that Nussmeier’s old tape is compelling enough to gamble on. Nussmeier had led the SEC in completions and attempts as a junior in 2024, and posted 4,052 yards. He also led the SEC with 12 interceptions (with 29 touchdowns), and hoped to come back as a senior showing that he could corral his gambling style.
ESPN’s early mock draft in June 2025 projected Nussmeier as the No. 11 overall pick and the second quarterback selected. In April 2025, Pro Football Focus projected him as the No. 5 overall pick. There is, obviously talent there, but an early-season abdominal injury caused Nussmeier to struggle.
As Reisland said: “Garrett Nussmeier give me the most, the closest to that if it was my choice. He is, again, though, not elite traits. If you go back and watch his junior tape, he was pretty good. The junior tape is what we are talking about with next year’s class. He is going to be pretty good. But again, he is not a huge guy and that worries me about taking hits.”
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