Fantasy football: Where to draft Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud

It’s nearly time for the 2024 NFL season, and fantasy managers are excited about picking Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud after a tremendous 2023 rookie season. But, where should he be drafted?

Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, single-handedly helped to turn around the fortunes of the franchise. The team went from 3-13 to 10-7, and an AFC South Division title, thanks mostly to the arm of Stroud, but also the coaching skill of DeMeco Ryans and improved receiver play.

Stroud really developed quite the rapport with WRs Nico Collins and Tank Dell , as well as TE Dalton Schultz . The team went out and added veteran WR Stefon Diggs to give him another weapon. This Houston offense, barring any injuries, should be high-octane again in 2024, with Stroud leading the charge.

Below, we look at C.J. Stroud’s 2024 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.

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C.J. Stroud’s ADP: 46.86

( ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com ; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur )

Stroud has quickly risen to elite fantasy status after throwing for over 4,000 yards in his rookie campaign. His ADP sits at 46.86, ahead of some of the more established names in the game. In fact, he is easily considered in the higher end of QB1 options.

Among quarterbacks, Stroud’s ADP puts him 5th at the position. Buffalo’s Josh Allen (21.93) tops the charts, just ahead of Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (26.78) and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts (28.10). Stroud is also behind Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson (35.42), while checking in just ahead of Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow (53.34), Indianapolis’ Anthony Richardson (55.14), and Arizona’s Kyler Murray (61.48).

C.J. Stroud’s 2023-24 stats

Games : 15

Passing yards : 4,108

Completions | attempts : 319 | 499

Passing touchdowns : 23

Interceptions : 5

Carries | rushing yards : 39 | 167

Rushing touchdowns : 3

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Where should you draft Stroud?

Stroud racked up 4,108 passing yards, most in Houston since Deshaun Watson rolled up an NFL-high 4,823 yards in 2020-21. The former Ohio State playmaker, not normally known for his running, actually found the end zone 3 times with his feet, 2nd on the team. He also had just 2 fumbles, while losing only 1, which is remarkable for a rookie QB.

Stroud isn’t likely going to outperform the likes of Allen or Mahomes, but it wouldn’t be shocking in the least to see him do better statistically than every other QB in the NFL. He has a tremendous supporting cast, especially at the receiver position.

Once the elite fantasy options like Allen or Mahomes are off the board, it’s time to take Stroud as early as the end of Round 3 in leagues of 12 or more teams. There is no way he lasts past Round 5, so if you want to get in on the Houston QB, plan on doing so early on draft day. He won’t last.

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