Houston Texans Make C.J. Stroud Their Quarterback of Future
Analysis 4/27/23
After all of the mystery of what Houston would do with the second overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Texans went with the expected: Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (scouting report).
Forget all the rumors the Houston Texans would pass on a passer, perhaps burned by what the franchise thought would be its long-term quarterback years ago in Deshaun Watson – we know how that turned out. Stroud and top overall selection Bryce Young (scouting report) were neck and neck for leading off this draft, and that’s how it went.
Calling himself battle-tested, he said that prepared him for what is ahead.
“I am living testimony you can do anything because I came from nothing,” he said.
Stroud went 21-4 as a two-year starter for Ohio State, and his heroics in the last-second semifinal loss to eventual champion Georgia in January displayed all of his athletic skills, determination and leadership. He threw for 85 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions, and though the Buckeyes fell short of a Big Ten championship in each of his two seasons behind center, he led his team to a Rose Bowl victory as a sophomore.
Stroud was even better as a junior.
“In the biggest game of the year, the playoff semifinal vs. Georgia,” said Hall of Fame executive and The 33rd Team’s Bill Polian. “He brought his team within a missed field goal of a come-from-behind win with three incredible escape runs and an unbelievable escape throw for a touchdown. Against the best defenses his team faced this season — Notre Dame, Michigan and Georgia — he played very well, bringing the Buckeyes from behind to win against Notre Dame, putting them in position to win against UGA, and keeping them in the game against Michigan.
“An experienced starter on a very talented Ohio State team, he appears to have a good grasp of the offense and recognizes defenses well. His demeanor is unflappable and even-keeled. His leadership shines through the film.”
That leadership certainly should come in handy in Houston, which never really found its franchise quarterback. Maybe now it has.
The Texans followed up the Stroud pick by trading up from N0. 12 overall, gaining the Arizona Cardinals' pick at No. 3, which Houston used to select Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson (scouting report).
"The whole thing is shocking and aggressive," The 33rd Team analyst Joe Banner said about the Texans' trade. "I have been thinking [the Texans] were going to pick C.J. Stroud, despite the reports. I'm maybe not as high on the defensive end as some others, but let's just first focus on the value in the trade. Basically, they traded the third pick all the way back to a 33 this year. So it's an aggressive payment."
It was the first time an NFL franchise drafted two players in the top three overall since 2000 when Washington picked linebacker LaVar Arrington and tackle Chris Samuels.
Barry Wilner was a sportswriter for the Associated Press for 46 years. He has covered virtually every major sporting event, including 14 Olympics, 9 World Cups, 34 Super Bowls, the World Series, and the Stanley Cup Final, and has written 75 books. Follow him on Twitter @Wilner88