C.J. Stroud NFL Draft scouting report Why Ohio State QB is drawing Joe Burrow Sam Bradford comparisons

C.J. Stroud spent two years at the helm of a juggernaut offense at Ohio State, and led them within a few plays of a national championship appearance against eventual title-winner Georgia. Now, he's looking to take his talents to the next level.There is no question that Stroud is set to be a first-round pick. There's little doubt he'll be a top-10 pick. Many expect him to go in the top two, if not first overall.Stroud has a range of comparisons. There have been some who see him as . Others see him as the next . Could he even be the next ?The Sporting News is taking a look at Stroud's profile, and coming up with a pair of comparisons for him. The first is looking at what the best-case scenario for him would be. The second is looking at what happens if it just doesn't work out.MORE:Here's a look at Stroud's draft profile and NFL comparisons:"Stroud is a sturdy and cerebral pocket pa ser. He reads the field and leads his team with superior intangibles. His arm and athleticism don't wow as individual elements, but he is very accurate and adept at sidestepping pre sure to deliver downfield." - All scouting reports for Stroud begin with his accuracy. Matt Garza Jersey During his time at Ohio State, Stroud was an incredibly accurate pa ser who routinely dropped throws perfectly into the hands of his talented receivers from all spots on the field. The pro-style quarterback also kept his receivers out of danger, rarely leading them into defenders. He doesn't have the arm strength of some prospects, but it is more than capable of reaching NFL deep-ball range. Stroud also stands out for his leadership and game-management skills. At his best, he showed NFL-level mobility to help escape pre sure and make throws outside the pocket.But the problem with Stroud is that he didn't always show that mobility, and he relied on a stellar offensive line protecting him Hernan Perez Jersey against inferior competition. He struggled at times when faced with pre sure, particularly in his two lo ses against Michigan, but then turned around and carved up a nearly NFL-caliber defense at Georgia in the College Football Playoff. Stroud often locked into first reads and wouldn't move off the look, which could lead to problems in the NFL.Stroud was a Heisman Trophy finalist and racked up tons of awards during his time at Ohio State. He finished fourth in voting in 2021 and third in 2022. He was the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year and Quarterback of the Year in both seasons.The junior quarterback also left Columbus with several school records, including single-game marks in total yards and touchdown pa ses, season records in completion percentage and pa sing yards per game, and career records in pa sing yards per game and pa ser efficiency rating.YearComp-Att (Comp%)YdsTDsInts2021317-441 (71.9)4,4354462022258-389 (66.3)3,688416Career575-830 (69.3)8,1238512Best-case scenario: Joe BurrowLet's maybe revise that to a le s mobile Burrow with a stronger arm. The Stroud who shined against Georgia gave off shades of Burrow during his run at LSU. Yes, Burrow was supported by a stellar cast of receivers and a solid offensive line (though it was not as good as Stroud's in 2022). Even when protection broke down, Burrow rolled out of the pocket, kept his eyes open downfield and guided his receivers to open spots and scrambled for easy yards when the opportunity arose. If Stroud can channel the mobility he showed in the CFP, he can hit that type of level.Burrow is also at his most dangerous when he has time in the pocket. If he has time, his accurate arm always found a way to connect with receivers and he didn't hang his guys out to dry when they made the catch. Both quarterbacks have exceptional leadership on the field with the ability to read defenses and go through their reads. Burrow had to make improvements during his career at reading safeties (as does Stroud), and his football IQ helped him do just Cecil Cooper Jersey that. Similar steps forward by Stroud would help him go a long way toward becoming the modern pro-style quarterback.This version of Stroud is one who shows his legs can be used when needed, and that the accuracy and touch on his pa ses take receivers to another level. Stroud might not have a Ja'Marr Chase or Tee Higgins in his first two years in the NFL, but even when those two were out, Burrow elevated receivers like Trenton Irwin and Trent Taylor because of how he looks off defenders and makes perfect throws. Stroud, in this scenario, reads defenses and knows exactly where to put the ball where only his receiver can catch it.MORE:Worst-case scenario: Sam BradfordSam Bradford's career was obviously hampered by injuries, but the profiles of the two quarterbacks are strikingly similar. Bradford won the Heisman Trophy in 2008 behind a high-powered offense at Oklahoma and dazzled with accuracy and throws acro s the field. Bradford is only an inch taller and 10 pounds heavier than Stroud. There were plenty of similar questions Bradford faced coming out of Oklahoma, including how much he was aided by his system and how effective he would be on the move.And Manny Pina Jersey Bradford's early career with St. Louis again, minus the injuries also could be what a worst-case scenario for Stroud might look like. Bradford struggled under pre sure and was unprepared to elevate a team around him that lacked the talent advantage he had while at Oklahoma, particularly at receiver. He had i sues when his first read was covered and the accuracy he showed in college dropped off when he reached the pros.The worst version of Stroud is one who was lifted up by throwing pa ses to not only an elite college receiver group, but a group that would even be elite at an NFL level. This version wasby his supporting cast and system at Ohio State rather than someone capable ofan offense that doesn't have a sizable talent gap. This would also be a Stroud who doesn't escape pre sure and has trouble looking off his first read Brent Suter Jersey .:No. 2 overallTSN's seven-round mock draft has Stroud going second overall to the Texans. Though there has been talk about him going to Frank Reich and the Panthers, Vinnie Iyer sees him landing with DeMeco Ryans and the Texans at No. 2 overall. Houston has some pieces at offensive line like Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason to provide a rookie with adequate protection, and a receiving corps that will see John Metchie make his NFL debut in 2023 alongside Nico Collins and Robert Woods, on top of free agent signee Dalton Schultz. Stroud won't make Houston an immediate contender, but he would be the star of a core that is starting to look like the next Texans' playoff team.
Click here Click here Click here