New Orleans Saints fans and the larger community of NFL Draft enthusiasts were taken aback when Rick Leonard was drafted in this year’s fourth round. And while coaches have taken issue with Leonard’s day-in, day-out work ethic during training camp, there’s little to complain about in the rookie’s game tape.
Pro Football Focus charting has so far reflected well on Leonard. The 6-foot-7, 311-pounder has seen 39 snaps through 2 games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals, but allowed just pressures on his quarterbacks. Among rookie linemen to see 30 or more snaps so far he ranks highest in PFF’s metrics for pass protection and 2nd-best when blocking on run plays.