Riley Leonard is coming off a strong season at Notre Dame, where he helped the Fighting Irish climb back into national relevance.
Now, the former Duke and Notre Dame quarterback is preparing for the next step in his football journey after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 189th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
It’s not an ideal draft slot for any quarterback with aspirations of earning a starting job, but according to Pro Football Focus's Dalton Wasserman, Leonard may have landed in the best situation for his long-term development.
“Leonard has his limitations as a downfield passer, but he may have landed in the best situation for his development,” Wasserman wrote. “Colts head coach Shane Steichen emphasizes RPO concepts and yards after catch in his offense, and the foundation throws in Steichen’s offense will be well within Leonard’s range. He is also an excellent athlete who posted an 82.8 rushing grade last season.
“Lastly, Anthony Richardson appears to be on a short leash while Daniel Jones is playing on a one-year contract. There could be a path to playing time for Leonard sooner rather than later.”
The most intriguing takeaway is the idea that Leonard could eventually supplant either Richardson or Jones. The Colts’ decision to not only draft Leonard but also sign Jones in free agency suggests the team may be applying pressure on Richardson, who went 6-5 as a starter last season.
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Leonard brings a wealth of experience to the position, having played in 43 games across his college career at Duke and Notre Dame. In today’s NFL, that level of game-time maturity is often a valuable asset for young quarterbacks looking to adapt quickly.
If Wasserman’s projection proves accurate, Leonard may not have to wait long to make his NFL debut in Indianapolis.
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