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There are, at a minimum, nine NFL teams in the 2023 NFL Draft that are in desperate need of a quarterback. In this early pre-NFL Combine prediction, there are four first-round worthy quarterbacks, including CJ Stroud from Ohio State.
The expectation of NFL draft day includes plenty of trades for those teams who need a quarterback.
So which NFL team could pick Stroud?
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Who Is CJ Stroud?
Ohio State’s CJ Stroud has 85 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his collegiate career. He also had a 69.3% completion percentage and ran for 136 yards. The winner of the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022 isn’t particularly mobile, but his arm strength is no denying.
A pocket passer, Stroud stands 6’3” and 215 pounds. He is the perfect fit for a team with a steady offensive line and an offensive-minded coach used to designing plays for a quarterback who relies on pocket presence more than mobility.
2023 NFL Teams In Need of a Quarterback
As the NFL Draft order currently stands, the teams in desperate need of a quarterback and their current draft status are #2 Houston Texans, #4 Indianapolis Colts, #7 Las Vegas Raiders, #9 Carolina Panthers, #16 Washington Commanders, and #19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What NFL Team Could Pick Stroud?
The Las Vegas Raiders are the team that could pick Stroud. In this scenario, the Raiders jump the Indianapolis Colts to acquire the second quarterback of the draft. The Raiders currently have the ninth most cap space ($20,130,338), and in addition to the seventh pick overall, they have eight picks in the draft, including the 38th and 70th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Coach Josh McDaniels’ offense finished with the 10th-ranked offensive line last season. Even with Josh Jacobs finishing the season with the most rushing yards (1653), the Raiders were 17th in rushing percentage (40.80%) and 14th in passing play percentage (59.20%).
The mobility of the quarterback has never been fundamental in a McDaniels offense. Carr averaged 1.6 carries per game, and Mac Jones with McDaniels as his offensive coordinator averaged 2.6 carries per game (compared to 3.4 carries per game without McDaniels).
Last season, Stroud averaged 2.91 carries per game with 9.48 passing yards per attempt with a 66.3% completion percentage.
Stroud’s arm strength and McDaniels' ability to get the best out of mobility-challenged quarterbacks puts Las Vegas as the best destination for Stroud.
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