Even teams like the Dallas Cowboys that have established quarterbacks on their roster will keep an eye on the collection of Day 3 backup quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft. After transferring from Duke, Notre Dame signal-caller Riley Leonard may have helped his stock enough to get drafted at some point.
After helping turn the Blue Devils around, Leonard and Marcus Freeman almost won the national championship before running into the Ohio State buzzsaw. Leonard's tools, especially as a playmaker out of structure, will be enough to get him some NFL hype.
Leonard is one of the next variations of Day 3 quarterback who has all the tools he needs to be a success in the pros, provided he goes to the right system.
Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 210
- Recruiting: 2021 3-star, No. 683 national, No. 47 QB, No. 29 AL, Duke transfer
Positives
- NFL-caliber arm with the strength needed to fight the ball into tight windows and challenge a defense vertically. Pairs that with surprising touch that lets him layer the ball down the field.
- Solid navigator from the pocket sack avoidance will be one of his best traits. Able to quickly distribute the ball in rhythm.
- Shows upside as a runner and scrambler, able to make tough throws when forced off his spot and elude as a ball-carrier who can be used on designed runs.
Leonard's playing style is never boring, as he can whip the ball all over the field both inside and outside of the pocket. Leonard can often be at his most exciting when he is on the move, as his legs and strong arm can help him make the types of plays most college quarterbacks can't.
Leonard's best pro trait might be his ability to avoid sacks, both with subtle pocket movements before throwing and with his own elusive style making him tough to bring down. With a solid arm to boot, Leonard is a big-play quarterback who could thrive in a vertical offense.
Negatives
- A huge work in progress from a mechanical point of view, shows a concerning lack of ball placement when under pressure.
- Accuracy comes and goes, can miss layup throws sail deep balls way out of bounds. Internal clock can often get screwed up by complex pressure packages.
- Can often try too hard to make a big play, leads to some gnarly interceptions.
- Numbers against elite defensive teams are noticeably worse than against inferior competition.
Every tremendous throw Leonard will make in the course of a game is canceled out by one that will make offensive coordinators rip their hair out watching it on film. When he starts feeling pressure and is forced off his spot, all bets are off as to what will happen next.
Leonard is like a pitching prospect who throws 97 miles per hour with a nasty slider, but he walks as many as he strikes out. The accuracy problems can be stunning, even from clean pocket. Leonard's accuracy against some of the best teams on his schedule left scouts somewhat disappointed.
Riley Leonard NFL Player Comparison: Mitchell Trubisky
Trubisky has carved out a solid career as a fringe starter and high-end backup in the NFL, and his mobility paired with an above-average arm gives Leonard a good path to emulate.
Riley Leonard 2025 NFL Draft Grade: Late 5th Round
Leonard is just too all over the place to see any meaningful NFL snaps as a rookie, as his out-of-control mechanics hamper some already iffy accuracy. Still, the talent is there as a runner and deep ball thrower, which could make him a fun project for an offensive-minded coach.