CJ Stroud's tape is a Pleaseant Surprise

[Bear Hands]

What's said about him ad nauseam is the "out of structure" habits.  When plays break down, he does have what I'll call a delay switch that is far less forgiving in the NFL.  It's there, even as a fan I'll acknowledge it. 

However, it is his mid and deep ball accuracy & touch is just hard to ignore.  His accuracy is on another level compared to most QBs coming out.  He seems to balance his risk/reward very well in respect to making throws and shows great anticipation.  I mean, he's thrown some absolutely bananas Sunday-level balls these past few years.  

In that respect, I actually think he's shown great ability to create, this showed this very well the tail end of 21 and then 22 as well as many saw against UGA.  What I think people have seen--is that early on in seasons he plays safe and within what was manageable, cruising to wins off the full team talent load.  As stakes went up, he adjusted his aggressiveness and risk taking that led to nice play creation and showed off his intangibles quite nicely as well.   He has very subtle but sly moves in the pocket to stay standing tall and over the line.  He also calls audibles and protections effectively.  For example--Darnold still can't call protections well.  And through all of that, he doesn't lose anything mechanically, not issues at all.  

Arm strength, if you group all active-NFL starters, I'd say he's top-20.  Probably around Dak.   

Totally for him.  Worth the risk and worth a trade up.  The argument will get more dicey the higher that trade up is, but I see a tremendous ceiling with this kid.  And honestly, a high floor.  He's made to do this QB thing.  

 

[JawnyBlaze]

9 hours ago, Kentucky Panther said:

What’s his arm strength like? I’ve heard everything from he can make every throw to he doesn’t have a big arm. I guess both of those can be true at the same time. I haven’t heard much about him having a cannon, though. 

im not a fan of Charles Robinson, but here’s his take on ranking arm strength among this year’s leading qb prospects. Stroud is at around the 5 minute mark, higher than young and duggan, same tier as hooker, below levis and richardson 

[Jon Snow]

20 minutes ago, JawnyBlaze said:

im not a fan of Charles Robinson, but here’s his take on ranking arm strength among this year’s leading qb prospects. Stroud is at around the 5 minute mark, higher than young and duggan, same tier as hooker, below levis and richardson 

I've seen a couple of qb rankings where Hooker is ranked ahead of Levis and Richardson.  I've seen the McGee kid ranked ahead of AR in them as well. Take that for what is worth.  

[heel31ok]

10 hours ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

Arm strength is overrated. Tom Brady is the GOAT QB and he really didn't have elite arm power.

 

Its overrated if you can throw like Brady.

[weyco2000]

I think a lot of you guys are going to be really disappointed. 

[Jay Roosevelt]

I still like Bryce Young better overall, but I'd be ecstatic with Stroud as well.

[joemac]

2 hours ago, ncfan said:

It’s not any weaker than Burrows.

Yeah, Burrow doesn't have a WOW type arm, but hes got plenty of juice to get it where it needs to be.  A lot like CJ here.  Burrow excels with decision making, processing and accuracy. 

[ForJimmy]

1 hour ago, TheCasillas said:

I’m just being playful at this point. In all honesty, whichever QB we land … I hope they crush it. 
 

I just feel Levi’s is that guy.

Oh I'm just messing with you.  I'll be happy if Reich thinks Levis is his guy.  It feels nice to actually trust the staff.  I could see us getting into the top 3 which guarantees Stroud, Levis, or Young.

[mrcompletely11]

Strouds ball placement is next level elite.  fuging a I want him so bad

[joemac]

14 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

Oh I'm just messing with you.  I'll be happy if Reich thinks Levis is his guy.  It feels nice to actually trust the staff.  I could see us getting into the top 3 which guarantees Stroud, Levis, or Young.

The thing about Levis is that he played his college ball at Kentucky.  Not exactly a bastion of college football talent.  You can tell from his tape that he has elite physical tools.  I can see why some pro teams are drooling over him.  Pair him up with NFL talent and NFL coaching and he COULD explode.  Or he could be terrible.  Its such a crap shoot with these dudes.

[Ricky Spanish]

40 minutes ago, joemac said:

The thing about Levis is that he played his college ball at Kentucky.  Not exactly a bastion of college football talent.  You can tell from his tape that he has elite physical tools.  I can see why some pro teams are drooling over him.  Pair him up with NFL talent and NFL coaching and he COULD explode.  Or he could be terrible.  Its such a crap shoot with these dudes.

I don't think people want to hear it but if we trade up to 1 my money is on us taking Levis. 

[GOAT]

my reaction if we draft Stroud:

my reaction if we draft Levis:

my reaction if we draft Young:

[ForJimmy]

24 minutes ago, Ricky Spanish said:

I don't think people want to hear it but if we trade up to 1 my money is on us taking Levis. 

I think we should trade up to 3 and take whichever remains.  It saves us some draft capital and I don't think there is a clear cut number 1 or 2 in this draft.  Similar to what the 49ers did a couple years ago with less picks being used.  

[KatsAzz]

11 hours ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

I think CJ is the best QB prospect in this draft, but I think his biggest potential weakness is his personality.  He seems very reserved and almost aloof on the field.  Not the stereotypical vocal leader type.

I wouldn't worry to much about C.J.'s supposed personality weakness.

I recall the N.F.L. Scouts were reporting that the then, Oregon QB Justin Herbert leads by example but is not a commanding presence. We all know how good he has turned out.