Texans' C.J. Stroud Ranks as 13th-Best Quarterback by Pro Football Focus

After a successful rookie campaign, Pro Football Focus ranks Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud among the league's top quarterbacks.

HOUSTON — It took C.J. Stroud one season to prove his status as one of the best quarterbacks in the league. While helping the Texans reach the postseason for the first time since 2019, Stroud had arguably the best rookie season by a first-year quarterback.  

According to Pro Football Focus, Stroud's play led to him finishing the season as the 13th-best quarterback. He recorded an overall grade of 83.1, finishing just ahead of Seattle Seahawks' Geno Smith (82.9) and after Green Bay Packers' Jordan Love (83.6).

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) runs with the ball as New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) defends during the first quarter at NRG Stadium / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

"The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year was one of the most aggressive passers in the NFL. Stroud led the league in percentage of attempts past the sticks (46.7%) and earned a 94.7 PFF grade on such plays, placing him in the 87th percentile." — PFF

The Texans drafted Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite some concerns, the former Ohio State prospect revitalized a franchise that won a combined 11 games before his arrival.

After leading the Texans to victories over the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars, Stroud also outplayed established players like Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence, who entered the season as perennial top-10 quarterbacks. 

Burrow's injury-plagued season had the former LSU prospect finishing the year as the 17th-best quarterback (77.9), while Lawrence ranked 15th (79.7).

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Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen finished as the highest-rated quarterback with an overall grade of 92.1. Completing Pro Football Focus' top three quarterbacks were Patrick Mahomes (90.5) and Lamar Jackson (90.4) — the reigning Super Bowl and regular season MVP.

Stroud finished his rookie season with 4,557 total passing yards, including the postseason, which is the second-most in NFL history by a rookie quarterback — trailing only Andrew Luck (4,662) in 2012.