The Houston Texans were 3-13-1 in 2022. Their award? The second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Many questioned who they would pick. After all, the Carolina Panthers traded up and positioned themselves ahead of Houston. Would it be Bryce Young? C.J. Stroud? Someone else? In the end, the Panthers would choose Young and left Stroud available for the Texans. Fast forward to now, and the Houston Texans may have found its savior in the former Ohio State product.
An Outstanding College Career
After redshirting his freshman year, Stroud threw for over 4,400 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2021. He led the Buckeyes to an 11-2 record and won the Rose Bowl over the University of Utah.
2022 was relatively the same for the signal-caller. The junior had 41 touchdowns to just six interceptions on the year, leading the team to an 11-2 record once again. This time, their record was good enough to put themselves in the College Football Playoffs.
Unfortunately, it was a sour end to his time as a Buckeye with a 42-41 loss to number one Georgia. Regardless, Stroud’s career at Ohio State along with his traits had many salivating. He was definitely going to be a top-five pick. The question was: which team would be lucky enough to get him?
A Fast Start To 2023
As of now, we are in week 10 of the NFL regular season. Bryce Young has struggled mightily so far as a rookie, including suffering an ankle injury that kept him out for two games. Even when he has played, he is 1-6 as a starter and the Panthers are among the worst teams in the league.
The opposite can be said for Stroud. Despite the Texans currently sitting at 4-4, he has been statistically better than Young. Houston’s quarterback has consistently been in the top ten in passing yards all season long. Currently, at 2,270 yards, that’s good for seventh-best in the league. He also has 14 touchdowns to just one interception on the season, displaying that he makes smart decisions consistently and does not turn over the ball.
Oh, and he can sling it with the best of them too.
C.J. Stroud on 20+ yard throws this season:
— PFF (@PFF) November 7, 2023
🚀 93.7 passing grade
🚀 6 TDs
🚀 0 INTs
🚀 143.1 passer rating (1st) pic.twitter.com/26edj5DZth
No Doubt The Rookie Of The Year
No rookie is even close to performing as well as Stroud has this season. Turning around a franchise like the Texans even with a subpar supporting cast is very impressive. Of course, we have to give credit to first-year head coach Demeco Ryans and the phenomenal job he’s done so far. He’s incredibly lucky to have a quarterback like C.J. Stroud.
His recent performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers goes to show he was built for the NFL. Down 37-33 with 46 seconds left, he orchestrated a six-play, 75-yard drive that ended like this.
C.J. STROUD IS UNREAL 🔥
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 5, 2023
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/jw7oJdzcvi
Houston would hang on for the 39-37 win (failed two-point conversion). Stroud finished with five touchdowns on the day and broke the rookie record for the most passing yards in a game (470 yards). With a performance like that along with his outstanding play thus far, he is no doubt the rookie of the year.
The Houston Texans have found their savior. It’s C.J. Stroud and no one is complaining.
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Featured Image: Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images
