With the hit HBO Show “Hard Knocks” surrounding the Bears this training camp, the Texans will make an appearance on the program later next month,
C.J. Stroud has already made an appearance on the program this offseason. Well, his name was brought up on the spinoff show “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants“
During Tuesday night’s episode, fans got to see the Giants’ war room heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. Much like Houston last season, New York began discussing trade scenarios to move up into the top three to select one of the top passers.
Last draft season, the Texans moved up nine spots to the No. 3 overall pick to draft Alabama edge rusher and eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. after securing Stroud at pick No. 2.
The Giants, who owned the No. 6 overall pick, had targeted the two passers expected to go after USC’s Caleb Williams. Giants GM Joe Schoen started to go through the hit-miss ratio of quarterbacks in the first round since 2014.
The hits include names like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. The misses feature options like Paxton Lynch, Josh Rosen and Johnny Manziel.
When Schoen asks Daboll what he makes of that list, the coach replied, “Take the Stroud.”
"Take the Stroud" 🤘
Brian Daboll's advice after reading a list of recent first round QBs in the Giants war room
🎥: @StreamOnMax https://t.co/UD5IHvWm1A pic.twitter.com/f575EVvoot
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) July 24, 2024
What exactly does that mean? Well when now looking back at what happened, Stroud “fell” into Houston’s lap with the No. 2 overall pick. Alabama’s Bryce Young went No. 1 overall while the Texans turned to the Ohio State passer.
Since then, it’s been a tale of two stories. Carolina, which had the No. 9 overall pick, traded up to the No. 1 to take a passer who struggled in Year 1 and eventually shipped the first overall pick back to the Bears a year later.
Stroud, a two-time Heisman finalist, had a season to remember, throwing 23 touchdowns with just five interceptions while winning the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He also led the Texans to their first division title and playoff win since 2019.
Sometimes, trading up ends up doing more harm than good. And spoiler alert for those who aren’t invested in the show: New York elected to stand pat at No. 6 and select LSU receiver Malik Nabers.
