Despite plenty of smokescreens leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans kept things simple when they were on the clock with the second overall pick. Hoping to identify their next franchise quarterback, they wasted no time in selecting C.J. Stroud out of Ohio State.
Stroud checks off all the boxes when it comes to size, arm talent, and mobility. With so many questions regarding the other QBs such as Will Levis and Anthony Richardson, Stroud feels like the ‘safe’ pick, yet he comes with an extremely high ceiling.
He’s one of the most accurate QBs in the draft, shown he can perform in even the biggest games, and has no mechanical flaws in his throwing process. Expect Stroud to start in Week 1, with Davis Mills settling into the top backup role, helping show the former Buckeyes QB the ropes.
For now, his top targets are a mix of John Metchie, Robert Woods, and tight end Dalton Schultz. Is that enough to thrive with? We’ll see if the Texans can add a few more weapons yet in the draft.
While taking a top defender such as edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. may have been tempting, the opportunity to land their QB for the next decade-plus couldn’t be overlooked. Or, you know, you could just take both.
