Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud Favorite for NFL Rookie of the Year?

ESPN's Bill Barnwell offers his favorites for NFL post-season awards after Week 9 games.

Texans rookie quarterback and former second overall pick C.J. Stroud just went off on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Sunday's epic 39-37 win at NRG Stadium. 

Stroud threw for 470 yards and five touchdowns on 30-of-42 passing against what was once thought to be a pretty good defense. But Stroud and the Texans' offense carved them up like an electric knife through a hot Thanksgiving turkey.

Stroud was likely the top pick for many before his generational game on Sunday, but one of the best-ever passing games by a rookie doesn't hurt. Stroud became just the second rookie ever to throw five touchdown passes in a game after Matthew Stafford did it in 2009.

C.J. Stroud / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN's Bill Barnwell thinks Stroud is in a race all by himself for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

"Stroud has eliminated the competition for Offensive Rookie of the Year and is almost in the conversation for most impressive rookie seasons by a quarterback in league history. He now has thrown 14 touchdown passes against one pick. 

"Even good rookies often are executing in sheltered offenses, but he is averaging more than 8.0 air yards per throw, which is the fifth most of any quarterback. The only quarterbacks picking up first downs more often than Stroud are Brock Purdy and Tua Tagovailoa."

Stroud certainly has things to work on and is still just a rookie, but his upside seems like it might be higher than what was originally thought by Nick Caserio & Co. heading into the draft. Stroud is still completing just 62 percent of his throws, and 19 percent of his passes miss their target. That's currently the third-highest rate behind Deshaun Watson and Stafford.

After the hiring of DeMeco Ryans as head coach, the selection of Stroud in the 2023 NFL Draft might be the best move the organization has made in a long time. And for an organization that's made some pretty bad moves, it couldn't have come at a better time.