Plus, again, it’s obvious that McCown loves the kid when you watch the scouting series he did prior to the Panthers making that trade.I thought it was super interesting that after the big trade, we heard immediately that it was for Stroud. Like, in the same moment they announced the trade, the news guys were saying they were hearing it was for Stroud. I was thinking someone from the Bears leaked it, because what do they care if it's not a secret?
So there's a clip of McCown talking to Stroud at the pro day, and they were chatting about finding a place to play basketball (McCown can hoop) next year in Charlotte.
Pretty safe bet he's going to Panthers.
I don’t buy it, but when I do the draft contest, you should definitely roll with this.Definitely tilting back to Bryce Young to Carolina.
Lance Zierlein who resides in Houston and correctly nailed a few picks for Texans last year, comes out on Twitter 5-6 days ago and starts talking about Texans not going QB at #2. Which then leads to who wants to trade up for CJ Stroud? Could realistically see a team like Seattle moving up. Houston gets Jalen Carter and a couple more picks in 2/3 ranges. Seattle didn't trade RW away without a design - and as good as Geno played last season, that wasn't the plan and I don't think his play has changed minds. If anything it emboldens them that a QB that doesn't need to start ASAP is a great investment. JS likely had to convince Jody Allen that trading Russ was a good idea, and with a plan that would create enough capital to get a kid like CJ Stroud. His humble background - dad in prison for 40 yrs, not getting offers coming out of L.A. Earned everything he's got. Pete Carroll loves guys like that going back to his USC days.
Calling it here, CJ Stroud goes 2 and is Seattle's new QB.
Agreed. Been saying it since the trade. My sentiment has only grown stronger with every passing day.Stroud is a lock to Carolina at 1
There were already stories Carolina liked him so what's really changed (other than Bryce's high processing score)? It feels more and more like Carolina is running some kind of time-released news cycle as the draft approaches. This is how I'd expect Jerry Jones to handle having the first overall pick. Still lean Stroud but there's conflicting information.Whoever is touting Young #1 has somebody out there listening. Odds on at -250 @draftkings.
A lot of talk last year about Pickett and Tepper's connection with Pitt making him a lock at #6. The Panthers drafted Ekwonu which was a great pick.If Stroud was the no 1 pick in Jan, Feb, Mar...nothing has changed except people like to play the what if game.
Young is short and under weight for most successful QBs with a few exceptions.
Still, it's hard to believe Tepper traded up to No 1 for a solid but not superstar QB like Stroud.
Maybe that's why the No 1 was truly available because if Trevor Lawrence were in this Draft you can be sure the bears would have traded Fields away and kept the No 1.
They can't all be Rock Stars at QB and with the way Carolina has been whiffing of late since Tepper took over, hard to pt a lot of stock into the "They're doing it right" box.
Count me as a skeptic of almost anything Tepper does until he proves otherwise. Big ego, likes to be involved in all the decisions, he might as well be the acting GM.
Lance did nail the picks last year but he's on record saying the Texans won't take a WR with their first 3 picks and that weird draft he had taking Wilson at 2.Definitely tilting back to Bryce Young to Carolina.
Lance Zierlein who resides in Houston and correctly nailed a few picks for Texans last year, comes out on Twitter 5-6 days ago and starts talking about Texans not going QB at #2. Which then leads to who wants to trade up for CJ Stroud? Could realistically see a team like Seattle moving up. Houston gets Jalen Carter and a couple more picks in 2/3 ranges. Seattle didn't trade RW away without a design - and as good as Geno played last season, that wasn't the plan and I don't think his play has changed minds. If anything it emboldens them that a QB that doesn't need to start ASAP is a great investment. JS likely had to convince Jody Allen that trading Russ was a good idea, and with a plan that would create enough capital to get a kid like CJ Stroud. His humble background - dad in prison for 40 yrs, not getting offers coming out of L.A. Earned everything he's got. Pete Carroll loves guys like that going back to his USC days.
Calling it here, CJ Stroud goes 2 and is Seattle's new QB.
Ekonu sure, but they haven't all been darlings and when you look at the draft capital spent already on poor QB play.A lot of talk last year about Pickett and Tepper's connection with Pitt making him a lock at #6. The Panthers drafted Ekwonu which was a great pick.If Stroud was the no 1 pick in Jan, Feb, Mar...nothing has changed except people like to play the what if game.
Young is short and under weight for most successful QBs with a few exceptions.
Still, it's hard to believe Tepper traded up to No 1 for a solid but not superstar QB like Stroud.
Maybe that's why the No 1 was truly available because if Trevor Lawrence were in this Draft you can be sure the bears would have traded Fields away and kept the No 1.
They can't all be Rock Stars at QB and with the way Carolina has been whiffing of late since Tepper took over, hard to pt a lot of stock into the "They're doing it right" box.
Count me as a skeptic of almost anything Tepper does until he proves otherwise. Big ego, likes to be involved in all the decisions, he might as well be the acting GM.
I would think Josh McCown's opinion makes up less than 10% of the decision making. He's not the Owner, GM, HC, or OC.There were already stories Carolina liked him so what's really changed (other than Bryce's high processing score)? It feels more and more like Carolina is running some kind of time-released news cycle as the draft approaches. This is how I'd expect Jerry Jones to handle having the first overall pick. Still lean Stroud but there's conflicting information.Whoever is touting Young #1 has somebody out there listening. Odds on at -250 @draftkings.
Would Josh McCown talk about seeing Stroud and playing basketball with him in Carolina, then turn right around and favor Bryce Young?
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports C.J. Stroud is visiting with the Raiders today and will visit the Lions and Colts later this week.
The Colts worked out Stroud on Monday, so this must be a more formal visit. We haven't seen the Lions or Raiders connected to Stroud yet, and for all we know it's due diligence because it seems unlikely he'll fall that far. Both teams could possibly target the No. 3 overall pick if the Panthers draft Young and the Texans bypass Stroud at No. 2.
RELATED:
SOURCE: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
Apr 11, 2023 at 4:45 PM ET
My reply was in reply to you saying Tepper might as well be the GM.Ekonu sure, but they haven't all been darlings and when you look at the draft capital spent already on poor QB play.A lot of talk last year about Pickett and Tepper's connection with Pitt making him a lock at #6. The Panthers drafted Ekwonu which was a great pick.If Stroud was the no 1 pick in Jan, Feb, Mar...nothing has changed except people like to play the what if game.
Young is short and under weight for most successful QBs with a few exceptions.
Still, it's hard to believe Tepper traded up to No 1 for a solid but not superstar QB like Stroud.
Maybe that's why the No 1 was truly available because if Trevor Lawrence were in this Draft you can be sure the bears would have traded Fields away and kept the No 1.
They can't all be Rock Stars at QB and with the way Carolina has been whiffing of late since Tepper took over, hard to pt a lot of stock into the "They're doing it right" box.
Count me as a skeptic of almost anything Tepper does until he proves otherwise. Big ego, likes to be involved in all the decisions, he might as well be the acting GM.
Does Miami get credit for trading a 3rd Rd pick and getting Jalen Ramsey? They didn't draft him but they used draft capital to get him.
Carolina has sunk some of their draft picks into QBs that might have been drafted by other teams, not working out so far.
Everyone assumes QB at No 1, but in 2023 that might not be a Trevor Lawrence or Joe Burrow
CJ Stroud floor is much higher IMHO than any of the other QBs that get tossed around in that Top5-10 Tier.
If I were an NFL GM and could not secure the top QB on the board, would continue to build out my OL/DL and perhaps draft a B in the 2nd or 3rd,I think Hooker is going to be a wonderful consolation prize for anyone that waits after Stroud comes off the board. Hooker could end up being one of the better selections when we look back in 3-4 years.
Stroud, Young, Levis and Richardson, they can't all be good. Avg QB rate in NFL history is about 1 Gem per Draft that will be a difference maker at QB.
How many of those first 4-5 names at QB are going to actually work out and become franchise QBs?
Where are these alleged rumblings?More and more rumblings that Texans might go defence. Obv would be to trade back and load up....Seattle at 5, ensures one of Tyree or Carter. If any coach can break a guy like Carter to put in the effort, it would be supreme alpha dawg like Demeco Ryans. Carter is top shelf talent.
Just food for thought
He is the QBs coach though.I would think Josh McCown's opinion makes up less than 10% of the decision making. He's not the Owner, GM, HC, or OC.There were already stories Carolina liked him so what's really changed (other than Bryce's high processing score)? It feels more and more like Carolina is running some kind of time-released news cycle as the draft approaches. This is how I'd expect Jerry Jones to handle having the first overall pick. Still lean Stroud but there's conflicting information.Whoever is touting Young #1 has somebody out there listening. Odds on at -250 @draftkings.
Would Josh McCown talk about seeing Stroud and playing basketball with him in Carolina, then turn right around and favor Bryce Young?
Almost every Texans forum is equally split amongst BY, Stroud, and other (usually Anderson). More and more noise lately as the Panthers' narrative has shifted to BY is that the Texans might not take Stroud. Reading the tea leaves, the Texans thought about trading with the Bears to likely go up and get one guy (presumably BY). Couple their latest reported hesitancy with QB definitively at 2, it feels like it's just piecing together everything we Texans fans are hearing to say especially if the Panthers do go with Young that it's not guarantee the Texans go with Stroud.Where are these alleged rumblings?More and more rumblings that Texans might go defence. Obv would be to trade back and load up....Seattle at 5, ensures one of Tyree or Carter. If any coach can break a guy like Carter to put in the effort, it would be supreme alpha dawg like Demeco Ryans. Carter is top shelf talent.
Just food for thought
All I’ve seen in mocks is Young or Stroud.
I've mentioned in I think other threads, but Stroud also shares an agent with Deshaun Watson, and that could very much matter to the Texans.Almost every Texans forum is equally split amongst BY, Stroud, and other (usually Anderson). More and more noise lately as the Panthers' narrative has shifted to BY is that the Texans might not take Stroud. Reading the tea leaves, the Texans thought about trading with the Bears to likely go up and get one guy (presumably BY). Couple their latest reported hesitancy with QB definitively at 2, it feels like it's just piecing together everything we Texans fans are hearing to say especially if the Panthers do go with Young that it's not guarantee the Texans go with Stroud.Where are these alleged rumblings?More and more rumblings that Texans might go defence. Obv would be to trade back and load up....Seattle at 5, ensures one of Tyree or Carter. If any coach can break a guy like Carter to put in the effort, it would be supreme alpha dawg like Demeco Ryans. Carter is top shelf talent.
Just food for thought
All I’ve seen in mocks is Young or Stroud.
I'm in the camp of wait a year and have been from the start. I warmed to Young, but if the Panthers take him, the Texans are not a QB away. If you have any doubt about Stroud as I feel like they might have, I'd trade down and pick up the picks you need to rebuild the franchise and wait until there is a stronger QB class next year when you have 2 first round picks currently and maybe more if you slide down this year (ammo to go get Maye/Caleb in 2024).
I believe Young also has the same agent. That was a big surprise to learn early about Stroud and figured it had to play some role. With Young also with the same group, if you choose one of them you cannot afford that agency (would have to someday anyways).I've mentioned in I think other threads, but Stroud also shares an agent with Deshaun Watson, and that could very much matter to the Texans.Almost every Texans forum is equally split amongst BY, Stroud, and other (usually Anderson). More and more noise lately as the Panthers' narrative has shifted to BY is that the Texans might not take Stroud. Reading the tea leaves, the Texans thought about trading with the Bears to likely go up and get one guy (presumably BY). Couple their latest reported hesitancy with QB definitively at 2, it feels like it's just piecing together everything we Texans fans are hearing to say especially if the Panthers do go with Young that it's not guarantee the Texans go with Stroud.Where are these alleged rumblings?More and more rumblings that Texans might go defence. Obv would be to trade back and load up....Seattle at 5, ensures one of Tyree or Carter. If any coach can break a guy like Carter to put in the effort, it would be supreme alpha dawg like Demeco Ryans. Carter is top shelf talent.
Just food for thought
All I’ve seen in mocks is Young or Stroud.
I'm in the camp of wait a year and have been from the start. I warmed to Young, but if the Panthers take him, the Texans are not a QB away. If you have any doubt about Stroud as I feel like they might have, I'd trade down and pick up the picks you need to rebuild the franchise and wait until there is a stronger QB class next year when you have 2 first round picks currently and maybe more if you slide down this year (ammo to go get Maye/Caleb in 2024).
Full opinion with no evidence to back it up: I think Jalen Carter is still very much in the conversation at #2. There's a reason he didn't want to visit with any non-top-10 teams, and he is very much the best DT prospect of the last decade. Could easily see Ryans wanting that defensive centerpiece and while Anderson has fewer red flags, he also has a lower ceiling.
Another full opinion: I don't think the market to trade up for a QB is as big as the media is hyping it to be. I wouldn't be shocked if Young went #1, if Stroud fell to #4, and Hou/Ari were unable to move down. Frankly, I'm not even sure Indy would prefer Stroud to Levis/Richardson, as Colts GM Chris Ballard is maybe the most tool-based drafter there is.
If I were someone who wanted Stroud to succeed, I would think the best-case scenario would be he somehow makes it to Seattle.
I won’t try to convince you but IMO Bryce is further along and has higher upside. Of course there’s more risk too.Not sure why anyone(32 NFL Teams) would take anybody at QB ahead of Stroud this year
You cannot convince me anyone is further along in their development right now than he is.
He might not ever be a Top 5 QB in the NFL but I doubt he is bottom of the barrel.
Most of the other names are scary including an undersized QB listed at less than 200 lbs, a guy that didn't win any big games at Kentucky and a project from Florida.
I think I like Hookers the best after Stroud comes off the board.
And maybe my FF team as well.Stroud is the safe, don’t get me fired pick. Average franchise QB for the next decade is the likely outcome. That’s probably the right choice for Carolina.
Levis did beat Iowa in 2021 in the Citrus Bowl and beat Florida twice, beat LSU, and a ranked Mississippi St team and Louisville twice.I won’t try to convince you but IMO Bryce is further along and has higher upside. Of course there’s more risk too.Not sure why anyone(32 NFL Teams) would take anybody at QB ahead of Stroud this year
You cannot convince me anyone is further along in their development right now than he is.
He might not ever be a Top 5 QB in the NFL but I doubt he is bottom of the barrel.
Most of the other names are scary including an undersized QB listed at less than 200 lbs, a guy that didn't win any big games at Kentucky and a project from Florida.
I think I like Hookers the best after Stroud comes off the board.
Stroud is the safe, don’t get me fired pick. Average franchise QB for the next decade is the likely outcome. That’s probably the right choice for Carolina.
Good points, but compared to Bryce and StroudLevis did beat Iowa in 2021 in the Citrus Bowl and beat Florida twice, beat LSU, and a ranked Mississippi St team and Louisville twice.I won’t try to convince you but IMO Bryce is further along and has higher upside. Of course there’s more risk too.Not sure why anyone(32 NFL Teams) would take anybody at QB ahead of Stroud this year
You cannot convince me anyone is further along in their development right now than he is.
He might not ever be a Top 5 QB in the NFL but I doubt he is bottom of the barrel.
Most of the other names are scary including an undersized QB listed at less than 200 lbs, a guy that didn't win any big games at Kentucky and a project from Florida.
I think I like Hookers the best after Stroud comes off the board.
Stroud is the safe, don’t get me fired pick. Average franchise QB for the next decade is the likely outcome. That’s probably the right choice for Carolina.

Where are these alleged rumblings?More and more rumblings that Texans might go defence. Obv would be to trade back and load up....Seattle at 5, ensures one of Tyree or Carter. If any coach can break a guy like Carter to put in the effort, it would be supreme alpha dawg like Demeco Ryans. Carter is top shelf talent.
Just food for thought
All I’ve seen in mocks is Young or Stroud.
Sure, but they don’t have one now, and didn’t pursue one in FA. So….Drop a QB in Houston and he might be wrecked in one season.
They did sign Case Keenum, who isn’t very good of course, but it wouldn’t make much sense to spend that money if they were going with a rookie QB. They could have just let Davis Mills backup the rookie for cheap. I think Keenum was brought in so that they don’t “have to” take a QB if the one they like doesn’t fall to 2.Sure, but they don’t have one now, and didn’t pursue one in FA. So….Drop a QB in Houston and he might be wrecked in one season.
PossibleThey did sign Case Keenum, who isn’t very good of course, but it wouldn’t make much sense to spend that money if they were going with a rookie QB. They could have just let Davis Mills backup the rookie for cheap. I think Keenum was brought in so that they don’t “have to” take a QB if the one they like doesn’t fall to 2.Sure, but they don’t have one now, and didn’t pursue one in FA. So….Drop a QB in Houston and he might be wrecked in one season.
Yes so he’d also know he doesn’t want to get it wrong either.Ryans knows as well as anyone how important the position is.
They need a veteran to mentor, Keenum makes perfect sense for that, used to being a backup and not gonna get sour about not starting.They did sign Case Keenum, who isn’t very good of course, but it wouldn’t make much sense to spend that money if they were going with a rookie QB. They could have just let Davis Mills backup the rookie for cheap. I think Keenum was brought in so that they don’t “have to” take a QB if the one they like doesn’t fall to 2.Sure, but they don’t have one now, and didn’t pursue one in FA. So….Drop a QB in Houston and he might be wrecked in one season.
Plus they’ve already signaled that Mills is not the answer, so why would be he the answer as a backup?They need a veteran to mentor, Keenum makes perfect sense for that, used to being a backup and not gonna get sour about not starting.They did sign Case Keenum, who isn’t very good of course, but it wouldn’t make much sense to spend that money if they were going with a rookie QB. They could have just let Davis Mills backup the rookie for cheap. I think Keenum was brought in so that they don’t “have to” take a QB if the one they like doesn’t fall to 2.Sure, but they don’t have one now, and didn’t pursue one in FA. So….Drop a QB in Houston and he might be wrecked in one season.
I never believed it for a second.I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I am starting to think these mocks where all 4 QBs are gone by pick 5 are going to be off when we actually get to the draft.
Teams don’t need their backup QB to be “the answer”, especially a rebuilding team. Mills has been up and down but has shown enough to say he’ll stick around the league as a backup.Plus they’ve already signaled that Mills is not the answer, so why would be he the answer as a backup?
They could also just take whichever of Stroud or Young falls to 2, then draft an elite defender at 12.Seems to me, the Texans have an option to have their cake and eat it too.
Let's say they do go Will Anderson @ #2. They also hold picks #12, #33, #65, #73. If they package #12/33 to SEA (1780 DVC pts) for #5 /$123 (1749 DVC points)...this guarantees them still a shot at one of the 4 QB's.
It takes away their 2nd rounder, but still gives them 2 in Rounds 3 & 4.
Is the defender at #12 in the same class as Anderson?They could also just take whichever of Stroud or Young falls to 2, then draft an elite defender at 12.Seems to me, the Texans have an option to have their cake and eat it too.
Let's say they do go Will Anderson @ #2. They also hold picks #12, #33, #65, #73. If they package #12/33 to SEA (1780 DVC pts) for #5 /$123 (1749 DVC points)...this guarantees them still a shot at one of the 4 QB's.
It takes away their 2nd rounder, but still gives them 2 in Rounds 3 & 4.
Ryans knows? He also saw up close in person what Trey Lance vs Purdy did for SF.PossibleThey did sign Case Keenum, who isn’t very good of course, but it wouldn’t make much sense to spend that money if they were going with a rookie QB. They could have just let Davis Mills backup the rookie for cheap. I think Keenum was brought in so that they don’t “have to” take a QB if the one they like doesn’t fall to 2.Sure, but they don’t have one now, and didn’t pursue one in FA. So….Drop a QB in Houston and he might be wrecked in one season.
I’m still betting on making a splash at QB with a top 2 pick.
Ryans knows as well as anyone how important the position is.
I’d bet on a WR at 12, too, but there I could definitely see a defensive player. They’ll have a bevy of good options at 12.
Is the defender at #12 in the same class as Anderson?They could also just take whichever of Stroud or Young falls to 2, then draft an elite defender at 12.Seems to me, the Texans have an option to have their cake and eat it too.
Let's say they do go Will Anderson @ #2. They also hold picks #12, #33, #65, #73. If they package #12/33 to SEA (1780 DVC pts) for #5 /$123 (1749 DVC points)...this guarantees them still a shot at one of the 4 QB's.
It takes away their 2nd rounder, but still gives them 2 in Rounds 3 & 4.
It's possible they simply take Stroud at #2 (assuming Bryce goes #1)...but if they are less than infatuated with him...I imagine the delta between him and Levis/Richardson would be less than Anderson and who'd be available at #12.
They also have two 1st rounders next year too.
I've been coming around to the idea that the AFC South teams aren't as committed to QB as initially thought. I wouldn't be totally shocked if Carolina was the only team who went QB in the top-5. Also, sort of wondering if the trade markets for moving up really exist, or if say Arizona, is just stuck at #3 unless they just give the pick away by trade chart standards.I never believed it for a second.I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I am starting to think these mocks where all 4 QBs are gone by pick 5 are going to be off when we actually get to the draft.
IMO it goes Stroud/Young in some order and then ARich & Levis fall.
How far depends on how spry the Colts & Raiders are feeling.
I doubt 4/5 picks are QBs.
Well yes exactly - so being in a position to draft a blue chip prospect like Stroud, who’s significantly more experienced than Lance, would make a ton of sense.Ryans knows? He also saw up close in person what Trey Lance vs Purdy did for SF.PossibleThey did sign Case Keenum, who isn’t very good of course, but it wouldn’t make much sense to spend that money if they were going with a rookie QB. They could have just let Davis Mills backup the rookie for cheap. I think Keenum was brought in so that they don’t “have to” take a QB if the one they like doesn’t fall to 2.Sure, but they don’t have one now, and didn’t pursue one in FA. So….Drop a QB in Houston and he might be wrecked in one season.
I’m still betting on making a splash at QB with a top 2 pick.
Ryans knows as well as anyone how important the position is.
I’d bet on a WR at 12, too, but there I could definitely see a defensive player. They’ll have a bevy of good options at 12.