The Houston Texans have a potential MVP quarterback in second-year starter C.J. Stroud.
Will fans have a fantasy football MVP if they draft the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year as the starting signal-caller?
According to Yahoo Sports, that’s unlikely.
Stroud’s franchise record-setting rookie season looked great in person, but it wasn’t enough to land him among the top 10 passers in fantasy last season. Even with the additions of All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs and Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, Yahoo’s Kate Magdziuk has the former No. 2 overall pick as part of her “All-Fade Team” in 2024.
“It’s difficult to fade Stroud given the strength of his receiving corps; the opportunity to throw to the trio of Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell is nothing to scoff at, and it should lead to continued efficiency in the passing game and likely, an increase in touchdown production,” Magdziuk writes. “But will it be enough to make up for the lack of edge he gives in terms of rushing?
“Keep in mind that there have been just two quarterbacks to finish top five at the position with fewer than 200 rushing yards over the past five seasons: Tom Brady (2021) and Aaron Rodgers (2021, 2020). Stroud, meanwhile, has never rushed for over 200 yards in a single season (even dating back to high school).”
Tier 3 of fantasy quarterbacks:
Good player, generates fantasy points
Justin Herbert
Anthony Richardson
C.J. Stroud
Jared Goff
Kyler Murray
Matthew Stafford
Kirk Cousins
Brock Purdy
Aaron Rodgers
Trevor Lawrence
Russell Wilson
Tua Tagovailoa— Jake's Fantasy Football (@JakesFFootball) August 19, 2024
While Magdziuk isn’t wrong about the Texans’ receiver room, she isn’t entirely wrong about the ground game. Houston ranked 23rd overall in rushing last season behind an underwhelming Devin Singletary and anemic Dameon Pierce.
Mixon, a four-time 1,000-yard runner, makes up for explosive plays with consistent reps. Production was the Pro Bowler’s calling card in Cincinnati, as he averaged 259 carries per season over his last four healthy campaigns. That averages to around 16 carries per contest.
Stroud might be this year’s Mahomes or Jackson as a sophomore standout who wins the league’s highest honor, but fantasy might be his Achilles heel. Rodgers has never been known as a star in the game played by friends, but he’s gone on to win four league MVPs and is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.
Maybe that’s Stroud’s future?
Jordan Love is currently going 30 picks after C.J. Stroud in fantasy drafts.
And Love could be the better fantasy QB 👀 pic.twitter.com/EGwset9PYO
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) August 12, 2024
Magdziuk suggests that reaching for Jackson or waiting for a more mobile quarterback in the later rounds might be the better ploy for winning the trophy.
“I’d prefer spending up a round earlier on Lamar Jackson (ADP of 35.5) or holding off for an Anthony Richardson or Kyler Murray, who are being drafted after Stroud in Yahoo leagues,” Magdziuk writes.
