Fantasy Impact: Texans Take C.J. Stroud in the 2023 NFL Draft

The former Ohio State passer lands in Houston as he's set to take on the role of the Texans' franchise quarterback.

The Texans selected Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

There was much conjecture as to where the Buckeyes’ star signal-caller would land in the weeks leading up to the draft. Once favored to be taken first overall, Stroud’s reputation took a hit in the media in recent weeks. It began with rumors that he is difficult to coach and that he ghosted the Manning passing academy. Last week, it was also revealed that Stroud had the lowest score on the S2 Cognition test for quarterbacks. His 18% paled in comparison to the test’s highest scorer, Bryce Young, who scored 98% and was drafted first overall by the Panthers.

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Stroud had a tough act to follow at Ohio State, current Bears quarterback Justin Fields. However, he put up even better passing numbers than his predecessor. After taking over the starting job his sophomore season, Stroud finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist twice. The junior tallied 8,123 passing yards and 85 passing TDs with a 69.3% completion rate and only 12 interceptions across the past two seasons with the Buckeyes. He currently holds the Ohio State records for single-game passing yards, single-season completion percentage and the most games with six passing touchdowns.

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Stroud is accurate to every level of the field and despite his S2 results has demonstrated he is a quick processor and can anticipate throws. College football fans will recall one of his best performances from this season’s college football semifinal. Stroud threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns before the Buckeyes ultimately fell to eventual national champion Georgia, 42-41. There could be a few growing pains in his first year, but Stroud has the talent and accuracy to succeed in the NFL.

Stroud can struggle under pressure, and he’s used to playing with one of the best offensive lines in college football. Despite boasting Laremy Tunsil- one of the top left tackles in the league, the interior line for the Texans struggled, allowing a combined 117 pressures and 16 sacks last season. Oh, and there’s that other knock: that his college receivers were too good. There could be a few growing pains in his first year, but he has the talent and accuracy to succeed in the NFL. 

 That certainly won’t be the case in Houston. After trading wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Cowboys in the off-season, the Texans lack a clear wide receiver with Robert Woods, Noah Brown and Nico Collins rounding out their receiving corps.

DeMeco Ryans, a former NFL linebacker for the Texans, is the new head coach for Houston. Ryans spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers with elite results. However, with a defensive-minded coach fresh off a six-year career in a Kyle Shanahan system, it’s unlikely we see freshman fireworks from Stroud.

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