Garrett Nussmeier has crashed brutally within a year. The Kansas City Chiefs are encouraging the seventh-round pick.

For Garrett Nussmeier, the draft turned out differently than he had hoped. The fall was brutal.

A year ago, the quarterback was considered a sure-fire first-round pick. In Pittsburgh, it took until the seventh round before his name was called. There were 257 picks, and he was selected 249th.

With that history, that’s a disaster.

Small consolation: At least it was the Kansas City Chiefs who secured Nussmeier’s services.

That’s a double-edged sword, though. On the one hand, it is unclear when Patrick Mahomes will be able to play again after tearing his cruciate ligament. The goal is Week 1, but how realistic that is remains to be seen. That could give Nussmeier a chance to duel with Justin Fields for playing time.

On the other hand, he might not have a chance for years if Mahomes is fit again.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach encouraged the newcomer: There is no better place for a quarterback than Kansas City, the GM emphasized.

Kansas City Chiefs: Good place for quarterback development

“I know it’s been a long day, but you’re going to end up here in the best quarterback room in the NFL,” Veach said in a video released by the team. “We’re finalizing the pick now and welcome you to the Kansas City Chiefs.”

In terms of the learning factor, Kansas City with Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid as well as offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy might actually be one of the best places for the rookie’s development. And then possibly take off somewhere else.