The Kansas City Chiefs made a surprise quarterback selection on the final day of the NFL Draft as Patrick Mahomes continues his recovery from a severe knee injury. General manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid used the 249th pick in the seventh round to acquire LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
Many analysts had considered the 24-year-old Nussmeier a potential first-round pick before last season, but he had to wait as nine other quarterbacks were selected ahead of him during the draft. Nussmeier struggled in his final year with the Tigers, dealing with injuries as LSU finished with a 7-6 record. During the NFL Combine, tests revealed that a cyst on his spine caused persistent oblique pain that hampered his season. However, he is now asymptomatic, and doctors have stated there is no short- or long-term risk to his health.
The acquisition of Nussmeier adds to the Chiefs' quarterback situation following Mahomes' knee injury on December 14. The three-time Super Bowl champion was present for the start of the Chiefs' offseason program this week, marking another milestone in his recovery from torn knee ligaments. Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee during the final minutes of a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, effectively ending the Chiefs' playoff hopes. He underwent surgery in Dallas with orthopedist Dr. Dan Cooper and began rehabilitation in Kansas City shortly after.
"So he goes to the meetings. He can lift, do all that. Rehab. That's the phase he's in right now," Reid said this week. "We'll just see. Kind of play it by ear. See where he's at. He's doing great, but we've just got to be smart with this thing." Mahomes has stated that his goal is to play in Week 1 without restrictions.
To provide insurance should Mahomes need additional time, the Chiefs traded a sixth-round pick in next year's draft to the New York Jets for Justin Fields, assuming $7 million of his guaranteed $10 million salary. Fields, 27, signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets last March, with $30 million guaranteed. He started most of the season until being benched in favor of Tyrod Taylor in Week 12 and ended the season on injured reserve with a knee injury. Despite this, Fields remains an experienced starter and gives the Chiefs a viable option if needed.
Earlier in the draft, the Chiefs traded up in the first round to select highly-rated LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane and added defensive tackle Peter Woods from Clemson. Other picks included R Mason Thomas, Jadon Canady, Emmett Johnson, and Cyrus Allen across Friday and Saturday.
