Risen Star
Likes Collector
- Messages
- 89,729
- Reaction score
- 213,398
Could C.J. Stroud slide?
Let's get this out of the way: Bryce Young is still the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Carolina Panthers. What happens after that, with the Houston Texans picking at No. 2, is being kept under lock and key. As Todd McShay mentioned earlier this week, there's buzz about Houston targeting one of the top edge rushers -- Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. or Texas Tech's Tyree Wilson -- instead of a quarterback, which could leave the Ohio State passer without an early landing spot.
The Indianapolis Colts (No. 4 overall), Detroit Lions (No. 6), Las Vegas Raiders (No. 7) and Tennessee Titans (No. 11) are the next teams in line that could target a quarterback such as Stroud. Sources I've talked to in the league expect the Lions and Raiders to entertain the thought of drafting a QB if Stroud is there, but with established veterans already in place, they might prefer an instant-impact pick, likely on defense.
"I think his slide could be similar to [Justin] Fields' and he went at 11," one league executive shared with me last week. "There's no way [Stroud] gets past Tennessee at that spot. ... With [Ryan] Tannehill entering his last year of the deal, it makes sense." -- Reid
So why could Stroud drop a few spots? The draft machine can hype up or tear down a quarterback in short order, and Stroud has experienced both sides. He finished just behind Young among execs and scouts we spoke to for our tiers package a couple of weeks back. The order was Young and Stroud in Tier 1, with Anthony Richardson (Florida) in a hybrid 1.5 tier and Will Levis (Kentucky) the next man up.
Over the past few days, though, negative reports about Stroud's S2 cognition test score, criticism of his coachability and even some scrutiny over his Manning Passing Academy attendance have called his stock into question.
Is the S2 testing significant? Yes, for some teams, it is a data point in selecting players. About half the teams in the NFL use the S2 test, including a few selecting in the top 10. According to one scout for an NFC team, S2 gauges instinctive learning, quick processing, spatial awareness -- things that are hard to teach, basically. The test hasn't been made public.
After asking multiple teams about Stroud's standing, some say he could slide as a result. "Probably overblown," an AFC exec said. "He's a really good player." Added a veteran AFC scout: "Someone would come get him in the back half of the top 10 if he fell there. I think half of it is a mirage for someone who wants to make a move and still get him."
As Jordan noted, sources I've talked to agree that Tennessee at No. 11 is a good floor to consider for Stroud. Coach Mike Vrabel's Ohio State ties should give him intimate knowledge on Stroud's game. -- Fowler
Last edited: