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C.J. Stroud Crashes the NFL MVP Conversation

Originally posted on FanNation NFL Draft Bible
By Luke Easterling | Last updated 11/13/23

It feels like only yesterday that doubters were slinging mud at C.J. Stroud, opining on various reasons why the Ohio State quarterback might end up tumbling down the board in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Those haters were embarrassed on draft night, when Stroud was selected No. 2 overall by the Houston Texans, and things have only gotten worse for them since the two-time Heisman Trophy finalist hit the field for his first NFL season.

Stroud has already been impressive throughout the early going of his rookie campaign, but he's taken it to another level over the past two weeks, particularly in clutch moments. In back-to-back games, Stroud has led Houston on game-winning drives in the final moments of the fourth quarter.

First, there was a 15-yard touchdown strike to fellow rookie Tank Dell with six seconds remaining that capped off a long touchdown drive to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Houston. Then on Sunday, Stroud led another game-winning drive, this time setting up a walk-off field goal to beat the red-hot Cincinnati Bengals on the road.

Stroud currently ranks second in the NFL in passing yards, with 15 touchdown passes (more than Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence). He's also thrown just two interceptions, by far the lowest mark of any quarterback in the league who has started the majority of his team's games this season.

The combination of Stroud's impressive production and ability to deliver in clutch moments with the game on the line, as well as the fact that his Texans are now 5-5 and just one game back of the division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars, should have the rookie firmly planted in the NFL MVP conversation.

This article first appeared on FanNation NFL Draft and was syndicated with permission.

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