Texans' Veterans 'Gravitating' Towards QB C.J. Stroud's Leadership

It has been a strong offseason so far for C.J. Stroud, as the rookie continues to show why he was drafted so high.

When a team uses a first-round pick on a quarterback, especially within the top 10, expectations skyrocket. At a minimum, they are expected to impact players in their first season, regardless of their situation. 

That is the scenario C.J. Stroud finds himself in, having been drafted with the second overall pick by the Houston Texans. However, there is plenty of reason to expect Stroud has what it takes to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL. 

Although he has yet to take a single snap at the professional level, Stroud is already receiving rave reviews in Houston according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. 

"Nothing’s looked too big for Stroud, which makes sense, given the stage at Ohio State; he’s shown a high aptitude and isn’t starting from zero when it comes to playing in a pro-style offense," Breer wrote. 

"And the coaches and front office folks have seen other players, even the vets, gravitating toward Stroud, who’s easygoing and comfortable as a leader."

The numbers alone make the case for Stroud. In his two seasons starting for Ohio State, he threw for a combined 8,123 yards with 85 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions while completing 69.3 percent of his passes.

That, combined with consistent reports of his leadership, provides plenty of hope in what Stroud can be for Houston. He may not be a Pro Bowl starter right out of the gate, but he continues to show why the Texans believed he was worth the second pick. 

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

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