The NFL draft season is upon us, and the Dallas Cowboys are in need of a good draft to set themselves up as serious contenders for years to come. While the Cowboys did just pay Dak Prescott a whopping $240 million contract, which will play out for the remaining 3 years left on the deal, a late-round shot at quarterback is far from out of the question.
We have seen teams in the past like the Green Bay Packers develop a quarterback behind their star to set up their franchise for the future at the position. At such a low cost, this could be a great opportunity to take a shot in the 2025 NFL draft. After all, we did have to witness the horror of Cooper Rush starting in 2024, so a young backup who brings hope could be a great option regardless.
That being said, here are the top 3 late-round options at quarterback in the NFL draft who could become a building block to the future of America's Team:
3. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
With no picks in the fourth round, Riley Leonard may be a reach at quarterback, but frankly, I cannot get enough of this kid. He is a natural-born leader and capable of disrupting the game with both his legs and his arm. While he is by no means a polished prospect, he is the perfect selection to sit behind a developed quarterback like Dak Prescott for a few seasons and develop in his areas of weakness.
Leonard is a determined, young prospect who puts everything on the line to make plays and escape pressure. If I had to highlight one part of his game, it would be his ability to extend plays and make something out of nothing. This is a huge component of how Leonard was able to put his team on his back, win games, and be a key contributor to the Fighting Irish's College Championship push.
When you dive into Leonard's stats, it becomes clear that his rushing capabilities are next level. In 2024, he had 2,861 passing yards with 21 touchdowns through the air and a shocking 906 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground.
While those numbers may have you questioning his draft projection, Leonard's downside comes primarily from his hesitancy to throw the ball, as well as ball security issues. During the 2024 season, he had 8 interceptions, as well as 2 fumbles, which is a by-product of his aggressive play style. But it is not every day you see such a prolific dual-threat quarterback who is also a natural leader, which is why I see him as a very intriguing prospect and a high-ceiling depth piece.
With no immediate rush to draft the next starting quarterback, the Cowboys are in the perfect position to draft a raw yet very talented late-round option like Riley Leonard. He could be the exact spark needed to push the organization to the next level, or at worst, a locker room gem to support the team on the bench as a developing backup.