Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard has experienced quite the rollercoaster when it comes to his NFL draft prospects. While he first caught attention during his time with the Duke Blue Devils as a potential first-round draft pick, the landscape has shifted significantly since then. Nowadays, Leonard is predominantly predicted to be a Day 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. But don’t count him out just yet—events like the Senior Bowl present Leonard with a golden opportunity to enhance his draft stock during the pre-draft process.
Standing tall at 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 215 pounds, Leonard is a quarterback who impressively leverages his mobility on the field. In fact, his rushing stats rival those of some running backs. This season leading into the national title game, Leonard logged an impressive 167 carries for 866 rushing yards and found the end zone 16 times on the ground.
In a seven-round mock draft designed by College Football Network’s Will Helms for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Leonard is earmarked as a potential seventh-round selection. Helms envisions Leonard as the ideal backup to Baker Mayfield, highlighting Leonard’s strengths beyond just arm talent. “Again, toughness,” Helms pointed out. He notes that while Leonard’s arm might be considered below average for an NFL quarterback, his impressive football IQ and leadership skills make him a great candidate for a backup role, especially for a quarterback with a similar style like Mayfield.
The Bucs’ current backup quarterback, Kyle Trask, has a contract set to expire in 2025, which opens the door to other options. Leonard stepping in could allow him valuable time to develop behind Mayfield, who’s on a hefty three-year, $100 million contract extending through the 2026 season. If Tampa Bay decides to look for fresh depth at the quarterback position, Leonard could seamlessly slot into that role, potentially carving out a path to further his career in the NFL.
