Dynasty Rookie Draft Profile: CJ Stroud (2023 Fantasy Football)

To help you prepare for your dynasty rookie and startup drafts, Derek Brown is putting together a dynasty rookie outlook for each and every fantasy-relevant 2023 NFL Draft prospect. We are combining DBro’s fantasy outlook with the NFL Draft profile of Matthew Jones. Here’s our dynasty rookie draft profile for CJ Stroud.

Expert Consensus 2023 Dynasty Superflex Rookie Draft Rankings: Top-50

Dynasty Rookie Draft Profile: CJ Stroud

CJ Stroud Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook

In 2021, Stroud was tenth in pressured adjusted completion rate and 12th in pressured PFF passing grade while facing the 16th-lowest pressure rate (23.8%, minimum 50 pressured dropbacks). Stroud has quiet feet against pressure and can make plays outside of a structure. Stroud has effortless velocity on his throws. He has plenty of arm strength to fit any throw into a tight window. His accuracy is also sound on the move. He can layer throws against zone coverage with the best of them. His film is littered with special throws to the boundary that takes moxie to dial-up. He has no issues testing man coverage and tossing it up for his receiver to win. Stroud will sometimes hang on his first read, but there’s plenty of film of him performing full-field reads. He moves through his progressions quickly to find the open receiver. As the collegiate stats will show, Stroud isn’t a rushing threat, but that doesn’t mean he’s a statue in the pocket. He has plenty of maneuverability in the pocket, which he uses exceptionally well. He steps up in the pocket when necessary to avoid rushers and can get outside of structure when necessary and deliver an accurate throw on the run. Stroud won’t be a “rushing quarterback” at the next level, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have the wheels to grab an easy 5-7 yards when the defense is offering it up.

– Derek Brown

Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles

CJ Stroud 2023 NFL Draft Outlook

Probably the quarterback in this class with the most impressive combination of processing, anticipation, decisiveness and touch on downfield throws, traits that currently have him regarded as one of the top prospects in the class. Needs to continue to clean up his mechanics and may never be a dual threat, but as a pure pocket passer, it’s hard to find prospects more advanced at this point in their development.

– Matthew Jones

Projection: Top-5 Overall Pick

Check out the full 2023 NFL Draft profile for CJ Stroud here