Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud Among PFF's Top-Graded First-Round Picks

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud continues to receive high marks for the tremendous start he's had to his career.

Whatever questions existed about C.J. Stroud leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans quarterback seems to have erased them during an exciting start to his career. 

The latest praise for Stroud comes from Pro Football Focus, who released their grades for all 31 first-round picks across the first five weeks of the seasons. Stroud earned a 75.3 grade. 

"The Texans continue to give Stroud clean pockets, and he continues to excel in them," PFF wrote. "His solid 75.8 clean-pocket passing grade in Week 5 was punctuated by a terrific throw up the seam that gave Houston a late lead. Unfortunately, Houston's defense couldn’t hold up its end of the bargain. Regardless, Stroud is the fourth-highest-graded quarterback in the NFL over the past three weeks and has yet to throw an interception. He’s firmly in the Rookie of the Year race." 

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has had an impressive start to his career.  / USA Today

Among the three quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Stroud has received the best grade. No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young has struggled to start his career, posting a 48.4 grade for the Carolina Panthers. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has flashed his tremendous physical skills, but currently has a 52.2 grade. 

Stroud's 75.3 grade is second among all offensive players selected in the first round of this year's NFL Draft, trailing only Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (76.2). Jalen Carter of the Philadelphia Eagles (91.8) is the top-rated first-round pick so far in 2023. 

Perhaps even more noteworthy is that between Weeks 3 and 5, Stroud has been the fourth-best quarterback in the NFL, per PFF's grading system. The only quarterbacks above him over the last three weeks have been Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions. 

In five games, Stroud has seven touchdown passes, and as mentioned above, he hasn't thrown an interception. The Texans, under rookie coach DeMeco Ryans, are off to a 2-3 start. It feels like Stroud and Ryans have already brought something of a culture change, which was badly needed. Times, they are a changin' in Houston.