C.J.Stroud

News: 5 days agoStroud completed 26 of 38 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 36-31 loss to the Bills. He also rushed twice for 15 yards and fumbled twice, losing both fumbles.

Spin: Stroud guided a pair of touchdown drives capped by David Montgomery runs before finding Nico Collins for a 12-yard touchdown in the final minute of the first half. The 24-year-old QB gave the Texans a one-point lead with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Montgomery in the fourth quarter, but the Bills responded with a 9-3 run to take a five-point lead with 1:36 remaining. Houston's final drive got to first-and-goal at Buffalo's nine-yard line before Stroud took two sacks in a three-play span, the last of which ended in his second lost fumble of the game. Turnovers in big moments have become a recurring issue for Stroud, who turned the ball over seven times in two games last postseason. Stroud and the Texans will try to bounce back in Week 2 against the Bengals.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Stroud enters his fourth NFL season yet to emerge as a quality fantasy option and having seen his passing production dip during each season of his career. Stroud impressed as a rookie with 24 passing TDs, three rushing TDs and a ninth-place finish in fantasy points per game (18.4). During the past two seasons, he failed to clear 20 passing touchdowns, has a total of one rushing TD and averaged 13.8 points, ranking outside the top 20 both years. Stroud's efficiency has been solid at best and thanks in part to Houston's elite defense, he hasn't needed to throw the ball (or scramble) very often. There's little reason to expect much change in 2026, so even with a good, deep group of pass catchers, the 24-year-old is best viewed as a low-upside, fringe QB2 in 12-team leagues.