It was Stroud vs. Alabama’s Bryce Young for the QB1 spot in the 2023 NFL Draft, and while Young went first overall to the Carolina Panthers, Stroud came off the board one pick later to the Texans. It’s unfair to judge a prospect off one season — let alone their rookie campaign — but the two couldn’t have finished Year 1 further away from each other.
Young’s Panthers “earned” the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by owning the worst record in the league (2-14) … only that selection is the Chicago Bears’, as Carolina sent it to Chicago as part of the package to trade up for Young last cycle.
Meanwhile, Stroud ended the regular season with 4,108 yards (eight in the NFL), 23 touchdowns (tied for 13th), and a 100.8 passer rating (sixth), and his Texans earned a playoff berth after winning the AFC South with a 10-7 record.
But they weren’t just happy to be there, as their talented rookie (16 of 21 for 274 yards and three TDs) led them to a Wild Card victory over the Cleveland Browns.
In fact, Stroud’s three TD passes are tied for the most by a rookie in NFL playoff history — and he’ll have a chance to break that record in the Divisional Round against the No. 1-seeded Baltimore Ravens.
If there’s one thing to take away from Stroud’s college and NFL stats, it’s that he performs his best when the lights are brightest.
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