Takeaways from C.J. Stroud’s NFL Debut

Last night, number two overall pick C.J. Stroud made his highly anticipated debut. The Texans were able to come away with the win, but Stroud played just two drives. There is still a lot to take away from those two drives, so let’s talk about….

Stroud will have to learn how to deal with pressure

At Ohio State, Stroud had an incredible O-Line for the most part. He didn’t have to deal with much pressure and had clean pockets to throw from. That luxury is now gone for Stroud as the Texans’ O-Line isn’t the best and struggled last night. Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard are a good tackle duo, but the interior of the O-Line will cause problems for Stroud. The former Buckeye will have to do a better job evading pressure and making throws on the run.

Less talented receivers than Ohio State

At Ohio State, Stroud played with receivers that could play in the NFL at this very moment. Marvin Harrison Jr will be drafted in the top 5 next year, and Emeka Egbuka will likely go in the first round next year as well. TreVeyon Henderson at running back was also a big weapon for Stroud through the air and on the ground. Unfortunately for Stroud, Houston doesn’t have the same great playmakers that Ohio State had. Dalton Schultz, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell are good, but none of them really move the needle in a league filled with playmakers. Damien Pierce is a stud out of the backfield and should take some pressure off of Stroud. In conclusion, Stroud will have to adapt to this and maybe not take the same big play chances he took in college.

Stroud will struggle the most out of any rookie QB

The two takeaways up top contribute to this final one, Stroud will struggle the most out of any rookie QB. Many of you may say Anthony Richardson, but the Colts’ weapons are better than the Texans, and Richardson is a generational athlete. Elite athleticism will bail out the former Gator a ton, and it may win the Colts some games. Bryce Young is set up for success immediately, as the Panthers added decent weapons around him with a good coach. Carolina’s defense is also a borderline top-10 unit in the league. Stroud doesn’t have the elite athleticism of Richardson, nor the poise of Bryce Young. Plus, he has a worse team around him than both. Expect a lot of last night to occur in Stroud’s rookie season for Houston.

Even though Stroud struggled last night, there should be zero worry. Growing pains are a real thing in football, especially for a rookie QB with a horrible team around him. I expect Stroud to struggle in his rookie season, but isn’t the end of the world at all….