History Suggests Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud Can Keep Stefon Diggs Happy

C.J. Stroud is well equipped to feed Houston's loaded wide receiver room.

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) warms up before a 2024 / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Keeping a wide receiver happy is easier said than done. But the Houston Texans are tasked with doing so as Stefon Diggs prepares to navigate the 2024 campaign on a one-year deal. As challenging as it may be, the presence of C.J. Stroud could make matters easier given his ability to spread the wealth, as showcased during his time at Ohio State. 

Ohio State is a wide receiver factory, which can be a blessing and a curse if a quarterback isn’t able to keep each player satisfied. In 2021, Ohio State’s wide receiver room consisted of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxson Smith-Njigba.

Due to blowout victories, Stroud didn’t throw every pass, but certainly a majority, finishing with 4,435 yards, 44 touchdowns, and six interceptions on 317-of-441 attempts. 

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a pass during the first half of the NCAA / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA

Ohio State’s leading receivers in 2021: 

Olave: 65 catches, 963 yards and 13 touchdowns 

Wilson: 70 catches, 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns 

Smith-Njigba: 95 catches, 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns 

Stroud threw three touchdowns to Marvin Harrison Jr. as well, all of which were in the Rose Bowl against Utah. 

In 2022, Ohio State didn’t have a dynamic trio at wide receiver, largely due to Smith-Njigba being nagged with injuries. Olave and Wilson were in the NFL at that point, leaving room for Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka to excel. Again Stroud put up gaudy numbers, logging 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions. 

Ohio State’s leading receivers in 2022: 

Harrison: 77 catches, 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns 

Egbuka: 74 catches, 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns 

Cade Stover: 36 catches, 406 yards and five touchdowns 

Julian Fleming: 34 catches, 533 yards and six touchdowns 

Throughout his rookie season, Stroud again showcased his ability to spread the wealth en route to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions. His receivers flourished as well. 

Houston’s leading receivers in 2023: 

Nico Collins: 80 catches, 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns (15 games) 

Tank Dell: 47 catches, 709 yards and seven touchdowns (11 games) 

Dalton Shultz: 59 catches, 635 yards and five touchdowns (15 games) 

Noah Brown: 33 catches, 567 yards and 2 touchdowns (10 games)

Robert Woods: 40 catches, 426 yards and a touchdown (14 games)

History suggests Stroud can get Diggs touches without force-feeding him at a level that becomes predictable to opposing defenses. If able to do so, Houston will be a force in 2024 and beyond.