Seahawks 2023 NFL Draft Preview: Going all in on CJ Stroud

Seahawks draft preview: The pros of CJ Stroud

The Ohio State signal caller from Rancho Cucamonga, California is one of the most impressive signal callers in the history of the Buckeyes program. A two-year starter, Stroud averaged 4,000 yards and a 42.5 to 6 TD/INT ratio. Unlike expected number 1 overall pick Bryce Young’s questionable size (5’10” 190lbs), Stroud stands at 6′ 3” and 215 lbs. With mobility that would rank in the top half of NFL QBs, Stroud opens the playbook for offensive coordinators as someone who excels in moving around the pocket, in the play-action game and extending drives with his legs.

Stroud’s greatest skill is his arm, and the magic he can wield with it in the pocket. Stroud possesses an NFL-ready arm. While he may not be as dynamic as Anthony Richardson or Will Levis, he has the juice to get the ball to wherever he realistically needs to get it.

While the arm strength is good, what separates Stroud from the rest in his class is otherworldly accuracy. He is elite at throwing to all three levels of the field. Stroud constantly hits his receivers in stride in the short to mid-range, allowing for massive chunks of yards after the catch.

On deep balls and fade routes, there is not a better QB coming into the NFL since Russell Wilson. Stroud will remind many Seahawks fans with his version of moon balls that are catchable and perfectly dropped over, or in between the defense for big gains. The Seahawks have seen some incredibly accurate quarterbacks lead their teams for the past twenty years. In the 2023 NFL draft, Stroud would likely be considered the most accurate coming to the pro game.