Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud's Best NFL Fit? Draft Expert Weighs In
Where will former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud land in the 2023 NFL Draft? One draft analyst isn't sure he'll make it past the No. 2 pick.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah recently spoke with reporters on the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine and what to expect from several prospects. Quarterbacks usually control the narrative as they are viewed as the trendsetters and the top position of value each cycle.
Unlike last year, four quarterbacks are expected to hear their name called during the first round come April 27, with Stroud gunning for the top spot, along with Alabama's Bryce Young. According to Jeremiah, should Young be the selection at No. 1 by the Chicago Bears — or another franchise looking to move up — Stroud should be off the board at No. 2 when the Houston Texans are on the clock.
"I like Bryce Young better on tape, but I think C.J. Stroud is a really good player," Jeremiah said Friday. "If you're not comfortable with the price to get up to that No. 1 pick, staying where they are and getting C.J. Stroud, I feel just fine about that."
Stroud, a consensus top-10 player in the class, very well could bolt his way to the No. 1 spot following workouts and weigh-ins at Lucas Oil Stadium. No one should doubt Stroud's production after leading the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff in 2022.
From a leadership standpoint, Stroud possesses all the traits most teams covet in a franchise passer. One area Jeremiah believes the junior will need to work on is his playmaking skills off-script. Stroud often relied heavily on following plays called by head coach Ryan Day, though he made several spectacular throws under pressure in the Buckeyes' 42-41 loss to Georgia in the Peach Bowl.
"The big question with him that's been talked about is, 'OK, not a lot of off-schedule, not a lot of playmaking.' Then all of a sudden, you see the CFB playoff semifinal game (against Georgia), and you're like, 'Dude, where's this been?'" Jeremiah said. "He showed you he has that ability. The old scouting adage is: If you can do it once, you can do it. So you know he does have that ability."
No one should view Stroud as a "consolation prize" in terms of talent. A two-year starter, the 6-3, 220-pound passer led all FBS quarterbacks in passer rating (177.6) and finished second in passing touchdowns (41) behind USC quarterback and eventual Heisman winner Caleb Williams.
Stroud finished with a career completion percentage of 69.3 and tossed at least 41 touchdowns against six interceptions in both seasons. He also posted a 21-4 record as a starter, with two losses coming to rival Michigan and another in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
The Texans, who finished 3-13-1 in 2022, will look to right the ship for the third consecutive season. Led by first-time head coach DeMeco Ryans, Houston is expected to target a quarterback at No. 2 following inconsistent play from 2022 starter Davis Mills.
The minds of Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio could change following a week of workouts in Indianapolis, but the need to upgrade at quarterback likely won't. Mills, who tied with Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott for the league lead in interceptions with 15 in 15 starts, is currently the only quarterback under contract entering free agency.
"We know everybody gets excited about the quarterback," Ryans said at his introductory press conference. "The quarterback is one piece to a team. As I’ve seen in San Francisco, what happens when you don't have that one guy? Is the season over? Are you just booking it? No. How do you build around that quarterback? Yes, we want a great quarterback, but no, we need a great offensive line to protect the quarterback. We need great running backs, great tight ends, great receivers. We need a great defense, special teams."
Jeremiah said that while Young from a tools standpoint is the clear-cut top passer, no one should be discouraged by Stroud entering the building as the future of an organization.
"I think Bryce Young is a better player, but I would not be totally bummed if you sat there at No. 2 and ended up with C.J. Stroud," Jeremiah said.
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