2023 NFL Draft Scouting Notes: QB CJ Stroud, Ohio State

CJ Stroud is a traditional pocket passing quarterback who has the mobility to get outside of the pocket and extend plays with his legs. Lauded by media as a top-five lock in the 2023 NFL Draft over the last couple of years, Stroud replaced Justin Fields in 2021 as a super freshman and put up gaudy numbers with an elite receiving corps. His numbers haven’t been to the same level in 2022, expecially after losing first round wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, but the tools have still been on display for Stroud who looks the part of a first round pick.

HT: 6025
WT: 218
Year: Super Sophomore
High School: Rancho Cucamonga (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Rating: 4-star (0.9780)

🎬CJ Stroud with an absolute DIME.
Love the Anticipation and accuracy. Love.
Rare and elite arm talent that can consistently drive the ball down the field and outside the numbers.
I wanna see more of this.
Full📽️https://t.co/ytGqi7debE pic.twitter.com/Dd9rG8iqQd
— The QB School (@theqbschool) September 7, 2022

CJ Stroud scouting notes

Pros:

Arm talent is fun. Velocity is present immediately. It’s a good arm, but not great. Can’t push the ball more than 50 yards effectively.
Accuracy is overall good but slightly inconsistent. Shows the ability to hit on throws and then miss on the same throw the next play.
Typically sets up well in the pocket. He also benefitted from an excellent offensive line for most of his career.
Looks like he can maneuver the pocket pretty well.
Flashes the ability to throw well on the move and on bootlegs. Not consistently on point with his accuracy.
Limited downfield ability. Stroud can move when he has to but doesn’t like to.

Cons:

Has to put effort to throw with touch and loses a lot of his arm strength when he does so.
Release feels slightly elongated by the very wide platform that Stroud typically throws from.
He struggles to get the ball underneath consistently.
Placement is the issue with CJ Stroud. His placement is typically just a little bit off, either just a hair behind the receiver or in front of him. He missed some throws throughout his career just because of poor placement. He doesn’t see concepts opening quickly and tends to be late with his throws. He flashes the ability to place footballs into the bucket.
Does not have a consistent base at all. Seems to have longer legs and a smaller torso which makes some of the lower body mechanics more difficult to master. He wants to get wide with his base.
Feet are about average. Nothing really special about his drop.