Texans QB Target C.J. Stroud: A 'Perfect' Throw in NFL Draft - Houston Ex Dan Orlovsky; WATCH
HOUSTON - For the Houston Texans, one word has been tossed around regarding the draft, their offseason and their next season hopes: "perfect.''
Whether it's describing the hire of their new head coach DeMeco Ryans, the fit of some of their recent roster additions or the fit of the players yet to come, the Texans have some decisions to make as they keep striving toward that unreachable word ...
Meanwhile, Houston currently holds the No. 2 pick in the draft, and barring a surprise move by the front office, it will be selecting a new quarterback.
Pro Football Focus thinks that the "perfect" move for the young franchise would be to draft the quarterback-receiver duo of Bryce Young and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, adding talent to the Texans' struggling offense.
But ESPN's Dan Orlovsky thinks differently.
"[C.J Stroud had] a throw that I would claim is the best throw out of any kid in this year's [draft] class," Orlovsky said. "It looked like a Pro Day throw, except it happened in a game."
The ex-quarterback Houston QB Orlovsky then broke down a play that Stroud made last season for Ohio State, a completed a 42-yard pass to sophomore Emeka Egbuka to set up a first-and-goal for Ohio State.
As Orlovsky explains, Egbuka was the last option for Stroud, which left him with a difficult pass to make in man coverage.
"[His defender] was in outstanding trail-man coverage," Orlovsky said. "[That] ball had to be absolutely perfect."
And it was. The two connected all the way to the two-yard line to set up the Buckeyes' next score that put them up by two touchdowns en route to their victory against the Nittany Lions.
The win was one of Ohio State's biggest of the season, and was another testament to the high-level of talent that Stroud brought with him on the field.
"That might be the best throw out of C.J., Bryce, Will Levis and Anthony Richardson," Orlovsky said. "It's everything you hope a guy would do on routes [with no defender], yet there's a defensive back in perfect coverage ... and it was a game-winner."
Stroud already proved to the Texans his abilities at the NFL combine, but his highlights throughout the season showed that he could do the same with or without a defender — something that teams hope top prospects can do in order to find success.
Houston has one of the easier schedules in the league next year as well, which, while it does not mean the Texans will be shoe-in winners, would allow Stroud to gain experience against NFL teams early in the season without facing some of the league's top talent.
And if he hadn't earned the endorsement of enough scouts, former players or executives, Stroud can now add Orlovsky to his list ahead of the draft.
The NFL Draft begins Thursday, Apr. 27 in Kansas City.
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