C.J. Stroud's historic season may have changed predraft process for good

Stroud's low scores on the S2 cognition test were leaked in the days leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. The Ohio State product finished in the 18th percentile on the test, which is well below the benchmark of 80.

Eventual first overall pick Bryce Young scored in the 98th percentile, while Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis scored in the 93rd percentile and Indianapolis Colts signal-caller Anthony Richardson scored in the 79th percentile. Stroud was selected second overall by the Texans, Richardson was the No. 4 pick and Levis was taken in the second round with the 33rd selection.

Young had a difficult first season, posting a 59.8% completion percentage with 2,877 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a 73.7 passer rating. He added 39 rushing attempts for 253 yards, coughed up 11 fumbles and his Carolina Panthers went 2-14 in his 16 starts.

Richardson showed flashes of stardom but suffered multiple injuries and was shut down for the season in October after undergoing shoulder surgery. He played (and started) parts of four games, going 50-for-84 for 577 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception, while adding 25 carries for 136 yards and four scores on the ground.

Levis started 2023 as the Titans' third-string quarterback but quickly surpassed Malik Willis on the depth chart. The Kentucky product took over as the starter when Ryan Tannehill suffered an ankle injury in late October and finished the campaign with a 58.4% completion percentage for 1,808 passing yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions in nine games (all starts).

Stroud blew his counterparts out of the water en route to a Pro Bowl honor and the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Stroud also led Houston to a stunning playoff berth, as well as one postseason victory.

The 22-year-old finished with a 63.9% completion percentage and 4,108 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions for a 100.8 passer rating, while adding 39 rushing attempts for 167 yards and three scores on the ground. Stroud also registered a league-high 273.9 passing yards per game across his 15 contests and captured two AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards and won the AFC Offensive Player of the Month award for November.

The S2 cognition test is unlikely to disappear completely in the near future, but Stroud's monster rookie season is a good case study in why not to look too much into a player's results.