C.J. Stroud

C.J. Stroud 2023 Fantasy Football Rookie Profile

Overview

Ohio State University quarterback C.J. Stroud is firming as the favorite to go No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft. He is widely considered, if not the top QB in this class, top two. The redshirt sophomore lit up College Football the past two seasons, finishing as a Heisman Trophy finalist both of his two years as the starter. Sitting behind current Bears QB Justin Fields, Stroud was able to see what it takes to be successful in college and make it to the NFL.

Stroud threw for an incredible 8m123 yards in two seasons as Ohio States’ starting QB, with an astonishing 85 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions. All of this is to say that Stroud has the potential to be a very good starting quarterback in the NFL. Possessing elite arm accuracy and a strong arm has given Stroud one of the better tapes to watch and one of the most fun NFL Combine throwing sessions in recent memory.

Not only does Stroud have great arm talent, but he is also an incredibly smart decision-maker, able to progress through his reads well. He was also in total control of Ohio State’s offense, which was potent in his two seasons as a starter. Once Stroud makes his mind up to throw to a receiver, he has no hesitation and lets it go. It almost always seems to be in the right spot for the receiver to make a play.

One of the main concerns for Stroud is his hesitancy or reluctance to use his legs and athleticism, which can cap his ceiling as a real-life QB and as a fantasy option. He did show in the Peach Bowl against Georgia he can be a willing runner. However, the hesitancy to use his legs can also lead to him rushing through his reads when pressured. This causes some of his passes to be inaccurate when he doesn’t get his feet set and body to drive on the throw.

One of the knocks on all Ohio State QBs is their decision-making is slower than their peers. However, this can be put down to the type of offense run by Ohio State. They run a lot of choice routes and deep balls that need a clean pocket to wait for routes to develop. This is something that will be cleaned up in the NFL and shouldn’t be much of an issue moving forward.

Pros

• Accuracy and arm strength
• Elite college production
• No hesitation in throws
• Ability to get through progressions

Cons

• Decision-making can be slower at times
• Hesitant to use his legs
• Can hurry through reads when pressured
• Anticipation of throwing in tight windows could be better

C.J. Stroud Player Comparison

Dak Prescott (QB, Dallas Cowboys) Meets Jared Goff (QB, Detroit Lions)

It doesn’t sound like a sexy comparison for many, but for fantasy managers, this could be a match made in heaven. Dak Prescott and Stroud are very similar in size. In recent years, Prescott has used his legs less and less, even though he can when it is required. If Stroud uses his legs more than he has shown in college, you could see a bonafide QB1 in fantasy for years to come.

Stroud also draws comparisons to Jared Goff. In 2017 under Jeff Fisher, Jared Goff was not an elite talent and even looked like a mistake of a pick by the Rams. Then 2018 rolled around, and Sean Mcvay was hired, and suddenly Goff looked like an MVP candidate and took the Rams to a Superbowl. With Mcvay, Goff was accurate and, although not asked to do a lot, made the right decisions most of the time. We saw one of the best Goff seasons this past year with the Lions, so we know what he is capable of. A lot of what you see from Stroud’s arm talent and accuracy is very reminiscent of the best of Goff.

C.J. Stroud Fantasy Football Projection

The fantasy outlook for Stroud is a long-term approach. In superflex dynasty rookie drafts, he is an early first-round pick and a mid-to-late first-round pick in 1QB leagues. In startup leagues, Stroud is someone who I would be targeting for my QB2. His ceiling is a QB1, especially if he utilizes his legs more and gets some talent at receiver wherever he lands.

In redraft leagues, I would be comfortable taking Stroud ahead of players like Baker Mayfield, Derek Carr, Kenny Pickett or whoever plays QB for the 49ers to begin the season. If you play in leagues like the Scott Fish Bowl (SFB) or leagues that reward accuracy, he jumps up the board for me and goes right next to players like Prescott and Goff.

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