CJ Stroud reveals the aspect that separates him among the top QBs in 2023 NFL Draft

C.J. Stroud is one of the best quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, though his exact spot in the hierarchy is certainly debatable. If you ask Stroud, he’ll tell you his ability to throw guys open is a big reason why he should rise to the top.

Stroud excelled at Ohio State in part because of this trait, pinpointing passes where only his guy can get it or drawing pass catchers to open space. It’s not something every quarterback can do and something Stroud believes will serve him well at the next level.

At the end of the day, when dudes are open, you feed your guys the ball or they look at you like you’re crazy when you walk back to the sideline. At the end of the day, if you’re open gonna get the ball, messing with me. I think something that I’m good at too, and I’m not trying to toot my own horn, but I throw guys open,” Stroud said. “And that’s something that I think is rare. Because in the league, dudes aren’t wide open. And I think I’ve done that in my career where guys aren’t wide open but I try to throw them that way. I try to throw them down, I try to throw them out, I try to throw it over his shoulder, things like that. Separation’s not always going to be there, so that’s something I pride myself on.”

With the receivers Stroud got to play with at Ohio State, things often fell into the “dudes are open” category for him. But when the Buckeyes pass catchers did get slightly bottled up in the secondary, Stroud would frustrate defenses with pinpoint accuracy and touch.

There is one thing Stroud does think can hurt him at times: Sticking too much to finishing a read. Stroud prides himself on being a pocket passer and reading out the concept against the defense, but acknowledged he needs to be willing to get behind his pads and run when push comes to shove.

“And sometimes I get so — I think I get so invested in the read because you spend eight hours on one play, I guarantee you’re not going to 1-2-run, you’re going to go 1-2-3-4 and really try to figure out who’s open,” Stroud said. “And you want to feed your guys the rock man. Everybody at Ohio State I played with, from Year 1 to Year 2, are extremely hard workers. And I want to feed them, I want them to eat just like I am. So, that’s something that I pride myself on but when it’s time to dip my shoulder and go get that first down, I’m going to do that, too.”