C.J. Stroud

The second overall pick in this year’s draft, Stroud heads to Houston as the franchise quarterback. The Texans said he'll have to earn the starting job, but it’s hard to see him not getting the Week 1 assignment with only Davis Mills and Case Keenum standing in his way. Pre-draft testing knocked his processing ability, but Stroud could be a big-time passer given his quick release, arm strength and accuracy. At 6-foot-3, 218, he moves well in the pocket, though he didn't run for a single TD in two full seasons as a starter at Ohio State and isn't likely to add a ton of rushing stats in the NFL. His biggest issue this season might be a lack of playmakers -- something that was never a problem at Ohio State. The likely No. 1 WR is 31-year-old Robert Woods, 6-4 Nico Collins is still searching for his first 500-yard season, third-round rookie Nathaniel Dell weighs 165 and John Metchie hasn’t played since December 2021 after battling an ACL tear and leukemia. The Texans did sign TE Dalton Schultz to replace Jordan Akins, but Schultz is more of a dump-off target than a seam stretcher or big-play threat. Plus, the Texans want to run frequently with Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary in the backfield. Check back next year. Read Past Outlooks