Former NFL Scout Calls C.J. Stroud “Generational Talent”

C.J. Stroud is a generational talent in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The great ones make it look easy, and Stroud makes it look easy.

Look for teams like Seattle, Houston, Washington, Minnesota and Detroit to be lining up for this sure-fire franchise quarterback (QB) in the 2023 NFL Draft.

What makes him a generational talent?

There is just something about him.

Stroud demonstrates an incredible level of maturity in the pocket for a QB of any age, let alone someone who is 20 years old.

If I was sitting in an NFL war-room in draft meetings, the one word I would use to describe Stroud is, “Consistent.”

Stroud runs his offense at Ohio State with the same upbeat and consistent tempo of a basketball point guard. Ironically, basketball was his first love.

He is what I like to call, “Downfield Minded.” It’s a scouting term that I have coined which describes a QB who constantly and primarily focused on driving the ball downfield, and not on what is going on around him in the pocket.

Laser focus is what he brings to an offense, and an even-kneeled temperament.

Stroud is literally like a human JUGS machine. That is what I affectionately refer to him as.

He keeps firing the football…and firing the football…and firing the football…

He just keeps methodically firing the football downfield like a machine.

#7 C .J. Stroud 6-foot-3, 218 pounds

Daniel Kelly Grade: First-Round (Top 10) Early Fall 2022 Report

FIRST ROUND MOCK BIG BOARD: QB1

Projected by 97.0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a First-Round Consensus No. 2 overall as of August 30, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 film game reviewed: Oregon, Michigan State and Penn State (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

Level of Competition: High

2021 stats: 317/441 (71.9%) 4,435 yards (avg. 10.1), 44 TD/6 INT.

NFL Comparable: Warren Moon

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Thick framed pure pocket passer beyond his years with a strong arm and he leads with a consistent rhythm. Tough and poised looking setting up shop, but he is a little robotic in terms of his mechanics. Looks alert and smart going through his progressions. Makes quick and decisive decisions with the football. Uncanny combination of remaining focused downfield while maintaining good pocket awareness. It is like he has eyes in the back of his head. Can slide around under pressure in the pocket to buy time, and tries to avoid taking sacks, but he is not a runner by nature. Great field awareness. Excellent ability to look off defensive backs and hold the safety with his eyes and go elsewhere. This is a veteran NFL QB trait that he possesses now. His signature throws are the short to intermediate slants and crossing routes. Possesses a cannon to zip it in there against tight coverages. Does have tendency to deliver high with his ball placement occasionally. Can try aim and steer it too much when he overthinks it, instead of just letting it rip, and that leads to placement issues. Works best in the middle to his right side of the field. Struggled throwing to his left at all three route levels (short, intermediate and deep). He does not take reckless chances with the football. Protects it. Struggles delivering consistent deep ball on target. Has all the tools to be elite.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Can he do it again? Can he duplicate the superstar numbers he put up in 2021?
2. Can he get better at throwing to his left?
3. Can he improve with his deep game?
4. How does he respond to losing established receiving targets (Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jeremy Ruckert)?

At this point, Stroud could be the first player taken overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, how he answers these four questions will help to determine when he hears his name called.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.