C.J. Stroud had a breakout season in 2023 en route to revitalizing the Houston Texans. That’s just a factandno one can dispute the evidence.
Is he already a top-five passer in the league? Well, this is where opinions often outweigh the numbers and recency bias floods the mind of those wanting to think they know everything.
Stroud, who became the fifth rookie passer in league history to throw for 4,000-plus yards, still is an anomaly. One season isn’t even a sure-fire baseline to determine what direction any gunslingeris headed, let alone a second-year standout who will go toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Jordan Love, Dak Prescott, and Trevor Lawrence in the same season.
What version of Stroud returns to NRG Stadium in Year 2? Is it the clone of Justin Herbert, who posted career-highs in passing yards (5,014), touchdowns (38), and yards per game (268)? Could Stroud be more like Cam Netwon, another offensive rookie of the year who regressed once defenseswere able tostudy the tape?
TexansWire compiled the rankings of six websites — plus our own opinions — to determine a definitive quarterback ranking entering the 2024 season. Here are the results that determined Stroud’s stance entering the 2024 campaign.
Here are the links to the websites below for the rankings:
Touchdown Wire
1
Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 18: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of the game at NRG Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
2
Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
(Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports)
3
Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens
Sep 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up prior to the game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
4
Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass in the third quarter during an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Bengals advanced to the Divisional round of the playoffs with a 24-17 win over the Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens At Cincinnati Bengals Afc Wild Card Jan 15 301
Sam Greene/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK
5
Justin Herbert – Los Angeles Chargers
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 20: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks down field during a 30-27 Kansas City Chiefs win at SoFi Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
6
Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys
(Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)
7
C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans
Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) jogs off the field after the game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
8
Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams
L.A. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford passes against the Detroit Lions during the first half of the NFC wild-card game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan, 14, 2024.
9
Jordan Love -Green Bay Packers
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the second quarter in a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
10
Aaron Rodgers – New York Jets
Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
11
Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles
Nov 3, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
12
Brock Purdy – San Francisco 49ers
Dec 15, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates with tight end George Kittle (85) during the late fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
13
Trevor Lawrence – Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks to pass before an NFL first round playoff football matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jki 011423 Chargers Jags C 17
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio-USA TODAY NETWORK
14
Kyler Murrary – Arizona Cardinals
Oct 17, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
15
Kirk Cousins – Atlanta Falcons
Jan 11, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half in the NFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
16
Tua Tagovailoa – Miami Dolphins
Nov 27, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) celebrates his touchdown pass to tight end Durham Smythe (not pictured) during the first half against the Houston Texans at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
17
Jared Goff – Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff walks out the field after defeating the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
18
Baker Mayfield – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) rolls out during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
19
Geno Smith – Seattle Seahawks
Aug 29, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws the ball against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
20
Caleb Williams – Chicago Bears
May 10, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws the ball during Chicago Bears rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
21
Deshaun Watson – Cleveland Browns
Dec 4, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) stands on the field before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
22
Derek Carr – New Orleans Saints
Oct 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
23
Anthony Richardson – Indianapolis Colts
(Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports)
24
Russell Wilson – Pittsburgh Steelers
Dec 3, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and quarterback Jarrett Stidham (4) run out on the field before playing against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
25
Will Levis – Tennessee Titans
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on November 02, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
26
Justin Fields. – Pittsburgh Steelers
Oct 24, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs with the ball with guard Michael Schofield III (79) and Chicago Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones (70) during the first half of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
27
Bryce Young – Carolina Panthers
Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws under pressure from Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
28
Jayden Daniels – Washington Commanders
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels poses after being selected by the Washington Commanders as the No. 2 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
29
Daniels Jones – New York Giants
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 21: Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles pressures Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
30
Gardner Minshew – Las Vegas Raiders
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew II (10) pushes off of Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart (29) as he rushes the ball Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston
Jenna Watson/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK
31
Drake Maye – New England Patriots
May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) works out at at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
32
Aidan O’Connell – Las Vegas Raiders
Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell (4) passes the ball in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
33
J.J. McCarthy – Minnesota Vikings
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates after the 34-13 win over Washington to win the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
34
Bo Nix – Denver Broncos
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix leaps into the end zone for a touchdown as the No. 9 Oregon Ducks host Washington State Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
