C.J.Stroud

News: 2 days agoStroud completed 21 of 31 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 34-30 loss to the Cowboys. He added 12 yards on two carries.

Spin: With top receiver Nico Collins back in the fold after a hamstring strain, Stroud posted his best numbers of the season -- he threw for 353 yards in Week 2, but it came on 55 attempts and he didn't produce a TD. Both of Stroud's scores Sunday went to Collins, and through four games he has a 5:0 TD:INT, with his only two turnovers being a pair of Week 1 fumbles. The fourth-year QB will try to lead Houston to its first win of the year in a Week 5 road trip to Tennessee.

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.