C.J. Stroud Houston Texans – Syndication Server

Fantasy football: Where to draft Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud

Analyzing Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud’s 2023 fantasy football ADP and where to target him in fantasy drafts.

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The Houston Texas selected QB C.J. Stroud with the 2nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after the Carolina Panthers hitched their wagon to QB Bryce Young at No. 1.

It has been baby steps for Stroud during training camp and the preseason, as the $36 million man settles into his new home. QB Davis Mills and veteran QB Case Keenum are the fallback options, just in case, but it appears it’s all systems go for the former Ohio State standout.

Our last impression of Stroud in the college game was a good one, as he threw for 348 yards and 4 TDs in the CFP semifinal against eventual national champ Georgia in the Peach Bowl. Stroud was poised, electric and he showed tremendous leadership, nearly helping the Buckeyes pull off the upset. The Texans hope he can carry over the momentum to his pro career, although there figure to be bumps along the way.

As far as fantasy appeal is concerned, it’s usually not a great idea to rely too heavily upon rookies, especially those at the quarterback position.

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C.J. Stroud’s ADP: 91.30

(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)

In redraft fantasy leagues, Stroud has been going off the board right around the 90th overall pick, which puts him in the middle of the pack as a QB2. While he has some upside, as stated above, you certainly would not want Stroud, or any rookie, for that matter, as your top overall option at QB.

Early on, Stroud will be looking to build rapport with WRs Nico Collins, John Metchie III and veteran Robert Woods, who figure to be the team’s top 3 downfield targets. He’ll also have TE Dalton Schultz as a reliable safety valve, as well as sophomore RB Dameon Pierce and newcomer RB Devin Singletary to handle passes out of the backfield.

The cupboard is anything but bare at the skill positions in H-Town, and in the weak AFC South, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Stroud and the Texans make a move upward sooner rather than later.

Among quarterbacks, Stroud’s ADP in redraft leagues is 17th, just behind the Seattle Seahawks’ Geno Smith (85.42), fellow rookie Will Levis of the Tennessee Titans (87.10) and the New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers (89.65).

Ironically, Stroud’s ADP puts him just ahead of Panthers rookie Bryce Young (92.60), the New York Giants QB Daniel Jones (94.73) and the Detroit Lions rookie Hendon Hooker (95.24).

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C.J. Stroud’s 2022 stats (Ohio State)

Games: 13

Passing yards: 3,688

Completions | attempts: 258 | 389

Passing touchdowns: 41

Interceptions: 6

Carries | rushing yards: 47 | 108

Rushing touchdowns: 0

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Where should you draft Stroud?

The area of the draft where you need to target Stroud greatly differs depending upon the fantasy format.

In standard redraft leagues, Stroud shouldn’t be touched until Round 10 or later, and that’s if you even want/need a 2nd QB on your roster. Most fantasy managers draft a high-profile starting signal caller, and roll with him, rather than wasting a roster spot on a guy who will rarely, if ever, be placed into the starting lineup. You can always add a streamer when your primary starter’s bye week comes up, and that’s when Stroud is likely to be in an active lineup.

Stroud will be much more attractive in long-term keeper formats, or dynasty leagues. He will likely be right outside of the overall Top 100 players in the NFL in those leagues, and taking Stroud in Round 8 or later isn’t a bad idea. And in rookie-only fantasy draft, Stroud is seeing an ADP of 13.39, just behind Richardson (5.36) and Young (10.17). Those are the 3 rookie QBs who occupy the most roster spots in those particular formats.

Most people are likely concerned with redraft leagues, however, and as such, Stroud shouldn’t be picked until at least Round 10, and only as your 2nd QB, if you have the roster/bench flexibility. If you were to draft a starting QB who has a double-digit bye week, you likely won’t use Stroud until the leaves have already fallen off the trees, if at all. It might not be a bad idea to let him go undrafted, in that case.

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Can the Houston Texans’ QB situation produce any fantasy value?

Will C.J. Stroud start Week 1? If so, what kind of fantasy value does he offer?

The Houston Texans are once again looking to the future at quarterback after selecting Ohio State product C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

However, even though Stroud is fully expected to sit atop the depth chart, Houston has yet to name the rookie signal-caller its starter, leaving the door open for veteran Davis Mills to retain the job.

After showing promise during his rookie season, Mills struggled mightily in 2022, throwing five more picks, or one every 32 attempts (seven fewer), and posting a QB rating that was 10 points lower as compared to his rookie season, ultimately finishing as QB21.

While he should certainly shoulder a lot of the blame for that showing, Mills also dealt with a lackluster receiving corps that was short on options, partly due to injuries.

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The real upside in Houston’s quarterbacks room comes from Stroud, who is an unknown in terms of how he’ll pan out but does possess an intriguing skill set for fantasy football managers. Stroud didn’t do much running in college, instead opting to operate from the pocket. He doesn’t have elite wheels, though Stroud is functionally mobile and may utilize it more in the pros while adjusting to the speed of the game.

We simply can’t know for sure if Stroud will indeed use that aspect of his skill set more, nor do we know if offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik will design runs for his young quarterback to make things easier. Thus, you’re really relying on a rookie to do enough through the air to be a fantasy asset, which is a risky proposition.

Another big question mark for both quarterbacks is the receivers room, a group that doesn’t spark any excitement. Veteran Robert Woods was added in free agency, but he’s 31 and showed major signs of decline in 2022 with the Tennessee Titans, even by the standards of a guy coming off a torn ACL.

John Metchie is not technically a new addition since he was drafted last year, but he didn’t play a single game because of a battle with leukemia, making him a total unknown.

Then there’s Nico Collins, who many thought was poised for a breakout year before he disappointed. Collins also was unable to stay healthy, leading to even more concerns about him.

His best target arguably is tight end Dalton Schultz, which means we should see a great deal of dink-and-dunk passing as the offseason acquisition isn’t much of a big-play weapon.

If there are positives to point toward, it’s that Texans signal-callers will have a solid offensive line, with the Texans bringing back a group that finished with the 13th-fewest sacks allowed last season. The running game is competent and should help take some pressure off the winner of this quarterback competition.

Fantasy football takeaway

The bottom line is this: No matter who wins the starting job, fantasy owners should not be depending on either Texans quarterback to be their No. 1 option. It’s not a stretch to also extend that sentiment to the QB2 slot.

If we were to pick one to emerge as a fantasy asset in 2023, it would easily be Stroud. But, again, that will greatly depend upon how often he uses his legs. Until we see it, or he proves to be a high-volume, high-production passer with a suspect receiving corps, he’s no more than a desperation waiver option.

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The 2023 NFL Draft is finally upon us, and prospects are now rookies with NFL cities to call home. Follow along for real-time analysis of the opening round’s impact on fantasy football plans for 2023.

Fantasy draft season may not be close to hitting its crescendo, but hardcore gamers have been selecting players prior to the conclusion of the collegiate bowl season. It’s time to let the real fun begin!

Tag: C.J. Stroud Houston Texans