HOUSTON — The NFL draft analyst and media speculated for months on what the Houston Texans would do when it was time to make their first selection on Thursday night in the 2023 NFL draft.
The names ranged from multiple quarterbacks to a defensive lineman many believed was a can’t-miss prospect.
At the end of the day, the Texans got both after they selected CJ Stroud from Ohio State to fill their quarterback need at No. 2. Their very next selection was edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. after trading up with the Atlanta Falcons for the No. 3 picks.
Both players will be expected to help Houston regain some relevance after three depressing years of football in which the team could only compile a total of 11 wins.
Yet, Stroud has different expectations from a fan base that is looking for their franchise signal caller. Something they haven’t had since former quarterback Deshaun Watson sat out a season demanding a trade from the franchise as he fought legal issues that stemmed from multiple women accusing him of sexual assault. He was eventually traded to the Cleveland Browns before the beginning of the 2022 season.
Stroud will be asked to bring the same passion and boldness he displayed at Ohio State. The two-time Heisman Trophy finalist threw for 8,123 yards, 85 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and completed 69.2 percent of his passes during his two years as the signal caller for the Buckeyes.
Even with those stats and Stroud passing the eye test, according to every analyst who watched him play, one question needs to be answered.
Is he a day one starter for the Houston Texans?
“What a player can do, ultimately, it’s going to be up to their performance,” said general manager Nick Caserio after the Texans’ first round. “We’re not going to put any labels or timetables on anybody, any particular position, any particular player. We’ll do what we feel is in the best interests of the team. DeMeco will make the decision, and the coaching staff will make the decisions that we feel are best for the team.
“We’ll put the best players out there that are ready to play and prepared to take advantage of the opportunity. We’re really not about labels or terminology around here. We’re about consistent, purposeful work, trying to build a program that’s sustainable over the course of time. So, whenever we get to that point with whoever those players are, ultimately, that’s what our intention and our goal is going to be.”
Everyone, including Stroud, knows that he is going to have to prove it on the field and impress first-year coach DeMeco Ryans and new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik if he wants to hear his name called as the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans once the regular season starts.
“I see this opportunity like it’s one of a kind because it is,” said Stroud during his first press conference with the Houston media via Zoom. “It’s something that God put on my life. I know the city of Houston hasn’t seen a franchise quarterback in a long time, and that’s something I hope I become.”
“I know I’ve got to put in the work. I know I’m still young. I know I have a lot to learn, but I know I have coaches on that awesome staff that can teach me to do that. I know that I can definitely become a franchise quarterback, but today right now, I have to put in the work. I am a rookie. I have to build trust in the locker room and be a great teammate.”
His competition as of right now includes current starter Davis Mills who is also looking to impress Ryans and Slowik, hoping to convince them that he is the right guy for the job after a lackluster performance on the field last season. Mills has not been impressive over his previous two years under center. In his 26 starts, he has thrown for 5,782 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. He tied with Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott for the most interceptions thrown in the 2022 season with 15.
It is unknown at this point who will be calling plays this season for the Texans. Still, if taking a quarterback with the second overall pick in the draft indicates the team’s direction, it is safe to say that a ton of Stroud jerseys will be worn at NRG Stadium on Sundays.
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Story originally appeared on Texans Wire