Houston Texans quarterback C. J. Stroud (7) Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Is rookie gaining edge in QB competition for Texans?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 6/13/23

Is C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, pulling ahead in the quarterback competition for the Texans?

Per DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN, Stroud took first-team reps during the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. Nonetheless, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said he hasn't usurped Davis Mills, and this is a part of the organization's plan.

Minicamp update from practice:

CJ Stroud is running with the first team offense on day 1 of minicamp.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) June 13, 2023

"Both of our guys, they've been rotating each week," Ryans said in a news conference after practice. "You guys who've come to practice, you've seen we've rotated those guys each week, and this happened to be the week that C.J. is with the ones."

Although Ryans insists Mills could be the Week 1 starter, Stroud is gaining momentum. Per Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle, Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson recently said Stroud is "already way, way ahead of pace" with his footwork and timing.

Stroud also has more upside than Mills, who hasn't established himself as a viable starting QB in two seasons. He has a 5-19-1 starting record and a QBR of 34.3, well below the league average. In 2022, he tied the league lead in interceptions, throwing 15 in 15 games.

Betting on Stroud, a two-time Heisman finalist in three seasons at Ohio State, is the smarter move.

The Texans covet a franchise QB since they haven't won at least five games for three consecutive seasons. The AFC South isn't becoming easier, either, since 23-year-old Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence carried Jacksonville to the playoffs last season.

Stroud could develop into the QB Houston needs if he keeps progressing rapidly — and that's exactly why the Texans took him with the second pick.

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