As a Houston Texans fan, I can’t get enough of the first night of the 2023 NFL Draft, which turned the franchise’s course 180 degrees. In this video from the Texans’ draft party at Miller Outdoor Theatre, fans react to the back-to-back picks of C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson. Stroud and Anderson are critical elements, to say the least. Anderson was named to his first Pro Bowl last week, and we just discovered yesterday, on Tuesday afternoon, that he will be joined in Orlando this weekend by Stroud, who has been named to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.
Stroud made a strong first impression in 2023 by surpassing multiple rookie passing records while leading the Texans from last place in the AFC South in 2022 to division title in 2023. Stroud started 15 games for the Texans, missing two due to a concussion in December. He completed 319 of 499 pass attempts for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a passer rating of 100.8.
Stroud’s passer rating of 100.8 was the third highest for any rookie in NFL history. His 4,108 yards passing ranks third all-time among rookie quarterbacks. Stroud was by far the greatest rookie quarterback in the league, earning the Pro Football Writers of America Offensive Rookie of the Year title last week.
Among his more noteworthy statistical accomplishments, Stroud began his career with 192 passing attempts without an interception, a record for an NFL rookie. He threw only five interceptions entire season, all of which came in three games in which the Texans went 3-0. Stroud also topped the league in passing yards per game (273.9) and touchdown-interception ratio (4.60). Prior to Stroud, Tom Brady and Joe Montana were the only quarterbacks to do it.
Throughout the season, Stroud was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week twice. The first occurred after he set a record with 470 yards and five touchdowns in a last-second comeback triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The second came in Week 18, following his playoff (and ultimately division)-clinching victory over the Colts in Indianapolis. Stroud also won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month and AFC Player of the Month honours in November.
The Pro Bowl Games are held in Orlando, with the skills challenge on Thursday night, February 1, and the flag football game on Sunday, February 4.
