Skip to main content

Texans C.J. Stroud A Fantasy Football 'Sleeper'?

Could Houston Texans rookie QB C.J. Stroud emerge as a sharp Fantasy Football quarterback?

Fantasy Football fanatics have kept a close eye on NFL OTAs, as rankings develop for the 2023 season. Looking for a relatively unknown or almost-forgotten player who unexpectedly emerges to blow up the scoreboard... Which players could become as "sleepers" this season?

Houston Texans quarterback C.J Stroud is among Sports Illustrated's "sleeper" quarterback picks for 2023:

Stroud is expected to be thrown right into the fire and be the Week 1 starter for the Texans. Considered the most NFL-ready quarterback in the 2023 class, Stroud is an athletic, accurate passer who possesses good decision-making skills and could be a useful fantasy option in redrafts when the matchup is right. He’ll be worth a late pick in drafts for fantasy managers looking for a sleeper option.

At OTA's, the No. 2 overall selection has brought the energy along with new coach DeMeco Ryans. The Texans have yet to name a starting quarterback for week one but the rookie has won over the media, the coaching staff and earned praise from teammates.

"C.J. is bright man,” Tight end Dalton Schultz said last week. “His attitude and demeanor are kind of understated at times and he walks through pretty humbled like head down, soft voice but you start to interact with him and the kid just oozes confidence."

Houston added offensive playmakers in Schultz, Robert Woods and Noah Brown via free agency. Bobby Slowik takes over as a first-year offensive coordinator after spending the previous six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. 

Excitement is high for Stroud, who threw for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns for the Ohio State Buckeyes, only tossing 12 interceptions in 830 attempts.

With a new-look roster and head coach, the Texans hope to post their first winning record in four seasons. Houston currently has the second-longest odds to make the playoffs in 2023... But a massive leap is possible if Stroud can give the Texans a boost in the quarterback room in Year 1.

Follow Bri Amaranthus on Twitter and Instagram

Want the latest in breaking and insider news for the Houston Texans? Click Here

Follow Texans Daily on Twitter and Facebook

Make sure to subscribe to our daily podcast @LockedOnTexans today! Click here To Listen.