C.J. Stroud is running the offense for the Houston Texans and might be the reason why another AFC South division title is on the horizon in 2024.
Naturally, the former No. 2 overall pick isn’t running the draft room behind closed doors alongside general manager Nick Caserio, but his input is warranted. It’s potentially a factor as to why Houston traded up in the fourth round with the Cleveland Browns to land Stroud’s former Ohio State teammate Cade Stover.
Stroud knew if the moment presented itself, adding Stover to the Texans’ loaded arsenal would be a win for all parties. According to the former Buckeye, on the morning of Day 3 of the draft, he and Stroud were already discussing reunion plans at NRG Stadium.
“I was already on the phone with him before I got drafted that morning,” Stover told Texans TV host Drew Dougherty on the Texans All Access podcast. “He was like, ‘Dude, we’re coming to get you. Tell me who likes you.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, these [teams] kind of like me, so if you could get in front of them it would be real nice.'”
Houston moved up to pick No. 123 after initially trading the selection in the third round to land USC defensive back Calen Bullock. Of course, Caserio could have already been planning to draft Stover, but hearing that Stroud was in talks with ‘Farmer Gronk’ that morning, it seemed like a done deal.
Stover, a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award last season, isn’t expected to be a focal point in Houston’s passing attack in Year 1. The Texans re-signed Dalton Schultz to a three-year deal and still have Brevin Jordan and Andrew Beck entering contract years,
Still, having a rapport with his new quarterback might be a difference in Stover’s progression to the pros. During Stroud’s final season in Columbus, the 6-foot-5 former defensive end finished third on the team in receptions (36), fourth in receiving yards (406) and fourth in touchdowns (5).
There’s a scenario where Stover and Stroud have designed plays in the red zone similar to concepts run at Ohio Stadium in 2022. While becoming a fixture of the offense, he’ll have time to learn under Schultz, someone Stover has admired since transitioning to tight end full-time after his sophomore season.
“I like him — he is a hardworking kid,” Schultz said of Stover earlier this offseason. “He is very eager to learn. He made some nice catches out there. I am excited for him.”
Stover, Stroud and the rest of the Texans return to NRG Stadium to begin training camp practice on July 18. Houston will kickstart the preseason with a showdown against No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears at the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio on August 1.
