Here’s the latest 2023 NFL mock draft from Luke Easterling over at Draft Wire, who linked the New Orleans Saints to another quarterback in the second round: this time, it’s North Carolina State passer Devin Leary. Easterling projects five quarterbacks to go in the first round, with Leary one of three signal-callers going off the board in round two. So what’s his story?
Leary, who turns 23 in September, was recently named the ACC preseason player of the year after a huge 2021 campaign, in which he broke Philip Rivers’ school record for single-season touchdown passes (throwing 35 of them). After taking a redshirt in 2018 and starting eight games in 2019, his 2020 season was cut short by a broken leg. So he surprised a lot of people by stepping up in a big way last year — doubling his career passing numbers by going 283-of-431 (65.7%) for 3,433 yards with just five interceptions against those 35 touchdown passes. He added two more scores as a runner.
Now he’s got the program humming along in pursuit of a conference title, with the school pushing for Heisman Trophy consideration for him. It’s pretty impressive, but can he build enough momentum in 2022 to earn a high draft pick in the following spring? We’ll just have to watch and see.
It’s too soon to say whether or not the Saints will be on the lookout for a new quarterback in 2023, but they’ve certainly left the possibility open by signing Jameis Winston to another short-term contract. He’s got all of the weapons he needs to thrive this season, so there shouldn’t be any excuses should he fall short of expectations. It may be tough to find a great prospect without their first round pick but if this team has taught us anything it’s that they’ll act aggressively to go get their guy. Maybe that ends up being Leary.
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