C.J.Stroud

News: 2 days agoStroud completed 23 of 36 passes for 260 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's 19-13 win over the Bears.

Spin: Stroud threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins in the second quarter, Ka'imi Fairbairn tacked on four field goals and Houston's defense added to Caleb Williams' slow start as Stroud showed that he's the superior young quarterback at this stage of their respective careers. The second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has led the Texans to a 2-0 start with a tidy 3:0 TD:INT heading into a Week 3 trip to Minnesota, and Stroud hasn't thrown an interception since Week 11 of his rookie season.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: The former Buckeye looks to build on a momentous first season that included becoming just the fifth rookie quarterback to ever throw for at least 4,000 yards. Without much rushing volume or success in either his collegiate or professional profile, Stroud's fantasy production will be defined by his proficiency from the pocket. After finishing seventh in per-game fantasy output last season, another prolific passing season could unfold given the presence of a trio of talented receivers -- Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell -- each of whom brings special route trees and skill sets to the field. Securing Stroud in the middle rounds is a sound strategy for those who wait a bit at the position.