CJ Stroud: Blessed With The Best, Better Than Most

CJ Stroud

Ohio State, Quarterback 6’3′, 214 lbs

---

2021 Stats: 317 completions, 4435 yards, 44 TDs, 6 Ints
2022 Stats: 258 completions, 3688 yards, 41 TDs, 6 Ints

Use the Discord Widget in the bottom right corner to interact with our community right from our website, or click here to join

Pros

CJ Stroud out of Ohio State, is the classic pocket passer. There is a lot to like and I would argue his 2022 season was far and away better than his 2021 season even though his stats say otherwise. That is not a slight on his 2022 wide receiver core at all, it just means that is 2021 receivers; Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, had a crazy catch radius.

Stroud is strong at reading through his progressions and being patient in letting his receivers get open. What you really want out of a true pocket quarterback is his willingness to pass in tight windows without turning the ball over. Stroud does that with a total of just 6 interceptions per year over the past two.

While Stroud is not a runner, he was never challenged to; until the College Football Semifinal game against Georgia. There is an argument to be made that when Stroud rolls out and gets his eyes off the primary receiver he is a better QB because he uses his athleticism to create. He seems to stop thinking about making the throw under duress and just uses his ability to make the play.

There is no denying that Stroud had a great Combine. Although, he didn’t do most of the drills he did put his arm on display. He showed his touch and how strong his arm actually is. He did the same at Ohio State’s Pro Day. Unlike some prospects in this draft class, Stroud has done everything right to be drafted in the top 2 picks.

Cons

Like stated above, his 2022 was significantly better than 2021. In the previous year he had a tough time with his touch on the ball and seems to overthrow his receivers a lot. On script throws (in the pocket and through progressions) he seems to rush sometimes and then throws behind receivers. This also occurs when he throws in unnecessary tight windows. You see this alot in ’21 but it is improved n ’22.

What I mean by unnecessary is, sometimes Stroud doesn’t throw his wide receivers open. There are multiple times he throws into a tight window just because it is there whereas if he threw it a little ahead of the receiver he would break free (see clip below where he makes me eat my words).

CJ sometimes panics when things get tight around him and can panic at times but when this does happen he does the right thing and overthrows the receiver to no one or throws it out of bounce.

All in all, Stroud is a good prospect. In college we don’t see him run a lot of RPO (Run Pass Option) but when he did, he seemed to make some wrong reads. It is probably more of a repetition thing and I don’t think Carolina or Houston will run much of it anyways. They will play to his strengths.

Summary

The player comparisons might be controversial. Jared Goff has had some bad luck, and has played bad football. He also had one of his best years last year. What compares the two is their pocket presence and accuracy. They have similar play styles with Stroud probably being a hint more athletic. Stroud getting veteran receivers and a good line will help him succeed.

Dwayne Haskins, another Ohio State quarterback, is another comparison I will make. It is probably because they went to the same school and had similar coaching staffs but they play VERY similar in many ways. Haskins was pass first and never thought about running, a big build, and had beautiful touch at Ohio State.

Stroud should go look back at some of Haskins tape to see what fearlessness is. Sometimes he checks out between the 2nd and 3rd quarter then turns it on. If Stroud plays all four quarters, he will be unstoppable.

2023 Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: Top 3 pick

Ideal Role: Starting Quarterback

Player Comp: Jared Goff, Dwayne Haskins