Texans QB CJ Stroud downplays significance of superb rookie season
CJ Stroud isn’t letting his rookie season success get to his head
Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud is taking part in the NFL Pro Bowl Games this weekend in Orlando, Florida, but the Pro Bowl nod that Stroud received is arguably a minor accomplishment in comparison to everything else he was able do during his rookie season.
CJ Stroud finished his rookie season with the best touchdown to interception ratio among all qualified quarterbacks. Despite missing two games late in the season due to a concussion, Stroud’s 4,108 passing yards were 8th-most in the NFL. His 100.8 passer rating was 6th-best in the league, and the 3rd-highest in NFL history among rookie quarterbacks. Most impressively, Stroud was the architect of a Texans postseason appearance that seemed beyond far-fetched before the season began. Not only will Stroud likely win the NFL’s Rookie of the Year Award, Stroud too found himself in the MVP conversation throughout the season.
Despite surprising just about everyone around the NFL with stellar, far-beyond-his-years play as the Texans signal-caller, Stroud himself doesn’t consider anything he accomplished to be a surprise.
“No, it wasn’t,” Stroud responded when asked if his instant success in the NFL surprised him, per Grant Gordon of NFL.com. “I have confidence in myself. I wasn’t surprised much.”
Stroud’s rookie season was as good as any debut season for a quarterback in recent NFL history. In the last fifteen years, only ten rookie quarterbacks who were their team’s Week 1 starter would go on to secure a berth in the NFL Playoffs. Stroud, along with Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez, and Russell Wilson, are the only four who won in their postseason debut. However, unlike Flacco, Sanchez, and Wilson, Stroud didn’t have an elite, top-tier defense to lean on throughout the season.
If anything, the Texans are at least a year ahead of schedule, and CJ Stroud is excited about what the franchise is building.
“We’ve got a lot of good pieces coming back, probably add some pieces that we need. Lot of moving parts, but it should be fun.”
READ MORE:
NFL.com Projecting Texans to Add Help for Derek Stingley Jr. Texans in 2024 NFL Draft
For the Houston Texans, using the 23rd pick in the upcoming NFL Draft to enhance the offensive support for C.J. Stroud is a compelling argument. The Texans already have plenty of offensive firepower, but with Dalton Schultz and Noah Brown – two of Stroud’s top targets – hitting free agency, they could look toward adding a pass catcher. However, the Texans must also address critical defensive needs, including in pass defense, with the impending free agency of cornerbacks Steven Nelson, Tavierre Thomas, and Kris Boyd.
And with that in mind, NFL.com analyst Eric Edholm forecasts the Texans to select Clemson Tigers cornerback Nate Wiggins with their first-round pick, providing Houston with a tall and athletically talented counterpart to Derek Stingley Jr.
“There’s a strong case for using this selection to upgrade the talent around C.J. Stroud on offense, but the Texans also have some pressing defensive needs to consider,” Edhold said. “CB Steven Nelson is a free agent-to-be. Wiggins would give Houston a long, athletically gifted complement to Derek Stingley Jr.” The former Clemson star finished his career with the Tigers making 60 tackles (49 solo), three tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, and 21 passes defended. Related: 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Can Texans Build Elite Cornerback Duo? You can check out NFL.com’s scouting report of Wiggins below: Strengths Long frame should be able to support adding good weight. Smooth backpedal in man and athletic field coverage in Cover 3. Outstanding feel for the rhythm of the route. Hips on a swivel for easy lateral transitions. Feet and balance help to phase routes up and down the sideline. Instinctive with the ability to read clues quarterbacks and receivers provide. Blazing recovery speed to run and catch just about anyone. Had two pick-sixes and a blocked field goal off the edge during his career Weaknesses Too much cushion allowed in off-man coverages. Tardy timing to flip and run with the route allowed deep-ball opportunities. Face-guards deep balls, leaving too much catch clearance for the target. Still room for additional aggression and decisiveness in attacking throws. Awareness and effort were disappointing in run support.
