How does rookie QB Riley Leonard fit with Indianapolis Colts? ESPN analyst weighs in

USA Today

15-05-2025

How does rookie QB Riley Leonard fit with Indianapolis Colts? ESPN analyst weighs in How does rookie QB Riley Leonard fit with the Indianapolis Colts? ESPN's Jordan Reid recently weighed in.
ESPN analyst Jordan Reid recently highlighted how each quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL draft fits with their new team, including the Indianapolis Colts' sixth-round selection, Riley Leonard.
"Leonard will be allowed to develop," wrote Reid. "He is a dual-threat quarterback who can take advantage of quick throws and use his mobility to create off schedule. He still needs to trust his initial reads more, but Leonard has long-term backup potential because of his physical traits and leadership."
After spending three seasons at Duke, Leonard transferred to Notre Dame in 2024 and helped guide the Irish to a National Championship appearance.
On the season, Leonard completed a career-high 66.4% of his passes and threw for 2,851 yards at 7.0 yards per attempt with 21 touchdowns to eight interceptions. Along with being efficient, Leonard was very good at taking care of the ball, ranking 12th in turnover-worthy play rate among all quarterbacks.
In addition to his contributions in the passing game, Leonard rushed for just shy of 1,000 yards as well.
The Colts showed interest in Leonard throughout the pre-draft process, and one of the characteristics about him that caught Indianapolis' attention was how he performed in some of Notre Dame's biggest games.
Lenoard's 223 passing yards against Penn State in the College Football Playoffs was his third-highest total of the season, and his 9.3 yards per attempt was also his third-best mark.
In the National Championship Game vs. Ohio State, Leonard threw for 255 yards, a season-high, completed 71% of his throws, and averaged 8.2 yards per attempt.
As Reid mentions, with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones on the roster, Leonard is going to have the opportunity to grow and develop this season. In Shane Steichen's first two seasons as head coach, we've seen the Colts' roster three quarterbacks, and Leonard has an opportunity to fill that role for the team in 2025.
In the long run, as Stephen Holder described in the article with Reid, Leonard has a path to becoming the team's primary backup if he can continue to progress.
'He's got the physical ability to be much more than a No. 3," area scout Mike Lacy said after the draft. "I think that's kind of what he's going to be coming in as. He's going to find his way. He's going to learn, be a sponge, soak things up and be ready to go. We're excited about what he can be, that's for sure.'