Big Blue Huddle

On January 20th two QBs who will be in this year's draft go head to head.  Do either of these QBs interest you?  They are likely day 3, maybe day 2 targets.   They may not be your first choice for a day 2/3 QB (assuming the Giants don't draft a QB at 3), but if you plan on targeting someone like Dart or Milroe, there needs to be fallback options should another team beat the Giants to their primary target.

Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
(s){6} Height: 6-4. Weight: 212.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2025): 3-5.
1/14/25: In 2024, Leonard completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,606 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has done more damage on the ground with 13 rushing touchdowns. Leonard didn't play well in Notre Dame's embarrassing loss to Northern Illinois. Leonard has been more effective as a runner, with yardage on the ground and four rushing touchdowns.

6/11/24: Leonard has good size to him and arm talent. He broke out in 2022, completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,967 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. In 2023, Leonard completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,102 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He also had four rushing touchdowns. Leonard missed a game with a leg injury suffered at the end of the loss to Notre Dame. He came back for two more games before exiting the lineup again. Leonard went out for the year in late October. After the season, he announced he was entering the transfer portal.

Leonard played well at times during 2023, but his performance against Notre Dame illustrated that he needs more development in terms of accuracy while getting rushed and staying poised under pressure. He was wise to transfer to Notre Dame from Duke to continue developing before going pro


 Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
(s){6} Height: 6-5. Weight: 242.
Projected 40 Time: 4.81.
Projected Round (2025): 3-5.
1/14/25: In 2024, Howard completed 73 percent of his passes for 3,779 yards with 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

6/11/24: After the 2023 season, Howard decided to enter the transfer portal and left Kansas State for the Buckeyes. During the 2023 season, scouts were watching Howard in case he decided to enter the draft, and multiple NFL team sources said Howard helped himself over 2023. They thought he could be a potential third-day pick if he had entered the 2024 NFL Draft and a backup quarterback candidate for the next level.

Those sources called Howard a physically impressive prospect with a good frame, above-average arm, and exceptional makeup. They noted he is a gritty guy with athleticism and good football I.Q. In 2023, Howard completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,643 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He notched nine touchdowns on the ground as well.

I like Will Howard as an early day 3 (Round 4) pick.

Riley Leonard I don't know. I imagine being a former Duke QB will turn many off. I just haven't seen enough of him one way or another. I'd day late 6 or 7 without much insight on him.

Quote from: MrGap92 on January 15, 2025, 11:55:49 AMI like Will Howard as an early day 3 (Round 4) pick.

Riley Leonard I don't know. I imagine being a former Duke QB will turn many off. I just haven't seen enough of him one way or another. I'd day late 6 or 7 without much insight on him.

I dont know much about either guy, Howard stats look good, but there are a handful of college players with good stats too, but I would take them in the first two rounds. I was going to say the same thing about an ex-Duke player.

I want us to take Howard but not as late as 4.  Maybe even two.  He will be a solid pro.

Dane Brugler wrote this before the semis


Notre Dame's best offensive prospect: Riley Leonard, QB
Were Jeremiyah Love eligible, he would get my vote for the Irish. But among the 2025 draft-eligible guys, Leonard is Notre Dame's top prospect on this side of the ball.

At 6-foot-3 1/2 and 225 pounds, Leonard is an explosive athlete and NFL scouts are smitten with his "off-the-chart" intangibles. He checks a lot of boxes with his physical talent, but there simply aren't that many NFL-level throws on his tape and the offense doesn't rely on his downfield ability to win games — he hasn't thrown for more than 250 yards in any of his last 22 games. Nonetheless, NFL coaches will want to work with Leonard's package of tools.


https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6054794/2025/01/15/cleveland-browns-deshaun-watson-contract-injury/?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=twhq&source=twitterhq

I like Leonard's backup more than him, he looked better vs Penn St than Leonard to me. With all the talent notre Dame has Leonard looks very pedestrian.

Despite both playing 15 games 3 more than most their numbers are meh.

Leonard 2600 yards
Howard 3700 yards

With Howard it's hard to judge him because he has 2 elite elite wrs and 2 elite rbs yet still only had 3700 in 15 games

As a huge Notre Dame fan I have watched every snap Leonard has taken this year.  Perfect for ND, unreal competitor and gives ND a chance every time he steps on field.  But he is a back-up at best on NFL team.  He is all intangibles. Great college player but UDFA all the way

Quote from: Puffy on January 15, 2025, 03:28:57 PMAs a huge Notre Dame fan I have watched every snap Leonard has taken this year.  Perfect for ND, unreal competitor and gives ND a chance every time he steps on field.  But he is a back-up at best on NFL team.  He is all intangibles. Great college player but UDFA all the way

Thanks for your insights as a fan of the team 

Rich, I think they both deserve better recognition than they have received. I take a wait and see on them.

Phil Simms went to Morehead State and Tony Romo to Eastern Illinois. It doesn't make one bit of a difference where you went to college nor do NFL scouts care. You can either play or you can't.

Both of these QBs have backup written all over them.


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