A Texans rookie quarterback, C.J. Stroud, is making a significant impact in his debut NFL season, drawing comparisons to Deshaun Watson’s rookie success six years ago. Despite facing a smear campaign aimed at causing him to slide in the draft, Stroud has excelled at the NFL level.
Zak Keefer, from TheAthletic.com, explored Stroud’s remarkable performance and how he defied expectations, especially in the face of attempts to diminish his draft stock. The negative campaign likely originated from teams interested in drafting Stroud, hoping he would fall to them.
The primary tool used to undermine Stroud was the S2 test, where Bryce Young excelled, and Stroud reportedly did not. However, only a few teams use this test, revealing the questionable motives behind emphasizing this aspect. Despite the efforts to influence the Texans’ decision at No. 2, the team stood firm, and so did Stroud.
In response to the tactics employed against him, Stroud remained resolute, expressing confidence and faith in his abilities. He shrugged off concerns about potential draft position drops, stating, “I’m gonna get drafted regardless of that dang test.”
While the article doesn’t identify who orchestrated the campaign against Stroud, he hints at uncovering the truth and jokingly mentions having “heads to bust in the offseason.” Stroud’s success in the NFL further validates those who believed in his potential, contrary to the efforts to discredit him.
The article concludes with a cautionary note about the draft season, emphasizing the manipulative practices of teams using anonymous sources to either praise or criticize players based on their draft strategies. It highlights the media’s role in perpetuating these narratives during the off-season, emphasizing the need for discernment amidst the swirl of rumors and speculations.
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