The shaky history of Ohio State quarterbacks in the NFL aside, C.J. Stroud is the “safest” QB pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Stroud is big, strong, mobile enough and has a truly beautiful arm. C.J. put on a show at the Combine in Indy with his accuracy and ball placement on every kind of route. Stroud radiated confidence and composure.
The Texans have the second overall selection. Unless the Bears trade the top pick to a team that covets Stroud and wants to lock him up, he should be available to the Texans in the #2 position.
As a Texans fan, I would in no way be crushed if Houston goes with C.J. There’s just nothing not to like there. Stroud’s mechanics are impressive and his footwork is impeccable. He is, IMO, the most immediately “road ready” quarterback in the draft.
But while I greatly admire Stroud, I hope the Texans “throw deep” and take Florida’s Anthony Richardson. I just can’t go over what I saw from that guy at the Combine. Here’s my thinking. True, Richardson is not ready to be a Day One Starter. But why is that a problem? The Texans are currently a long way from being a playoff contender.
That team and that guy can grow up together.
I keep seeing mock drafts that have Alabama’s Bryce Young going to Houston. I hope not. Don’t let anybody tell you that Young’s slight stature is not a problem. It is. I simply do not believe he will be able to hold up physically.
Kentucky’s Will Levis? He wanted to show off that cannon arm in Indy, and he succeeded.
I was surprised that Stetson Bennett displayed that much long-ball arm strength.
The “second tier” prospect that most impressed me was BYU’s Jaren Hall. Smooth.
While Shepherd’s Tyson Bagent got upstaged by his publicity thirsty, arm wrestling dad, he showed skills that you seldom see in a D-2 QB.
I’m always going to pull for TCU’s Max Duggan. Who doesn’t love Max? But while I would never question his wheels or his heart, I absolutely question his accuracy.
There’s no question that another Lone Star State quarterback—Houston’s Clayton Tune—can flat-out sling it.
One more thing and I’m outta here.
In another era—like ten years ago—Longhorn running back Bijan Robinson might be the first pick in the draft. His skills are that rare and that advanced. But those days are gone.