Welcome to SKOL Search!
This series will be your guide to the 2023 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at wide receiver, running back, cornerback and both interior and edge pass rusher.
The Vikings are slated to have four picks before compensatory selections are awarded and they need to make the most out of them.
Background
CJ Stroud
- Ohio State
- Height-6030
- Weight-215 lbs
- Third-year junior
- 4-Star recruit per 247 Sports
- Stats: 69.3%, 8,123 yards, 85 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 80 carries, 136 yards, 1.7 yards per carry, 1 touchdown
- Games watched: Notre Dame 2022, Wisconsin 2022, Michigan 2022, Georgia 2022
Strengths
The first you notice when you watch Stroud is how composed he is in the pocket. He doesn’t get rattled by pressure easily at all and takes advantage of opportunities given to him by the defense.
When it comes to throwing the football, Stroud does the one thing you need: thrive within structure. He does a great job maximizing his talent and the little space/windows that are afforded to him.
This throw exemplifies that and then some. Stroud has a powerful arm and can make every throw. Ohio State knew this and asked him to throw to the field side (wide side) consistently. Stroud can also read the full field when using progressions and eventually find the player on that side that is open.
Being able to drive the football down the field is what is really exciting about Stroud. He throws this nine route perfectly to Marvin Harrison Jr. and does so from the far hashmark. It’s really impressive and he does so with consistency.
His arm talent here is on full display. Stroud hits Harrison Jr. on a corner route from the slot and he does so from his back foot. He puts the ball in a perfect spot and they get a first down. That ball travels nearly 35-40 yards on a rope.
One of the biggest concerns people had with Stroud was his ability to create outside of structure. Against Georgia, he was tremendous in doing so. Stroud evaded the excellent pass rush and was able to rush the ball with success, gashing the Bulldogs defense consistently.
I forgot CJ Stroud absolutely balled out in the Peach Bowl. Ridiculous throw after maneuvering the pocket. pic.twitter.com/gUSRC8BLg2
— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) February 18, 2023
Eye manipulation is great. He understands how to get safeties to do what he wants so he can hit receivers down the field.
Weaknesses
The biggest question with Stroud is how much of the Georgia game was an aberration or will it become a trend? It appears to me that Ohio State didn’t want their quarterbacks to run or evade the pocket until it was absolutely necessary. I think in the NFL he will be just fine in creating outside of structure.
He also isn’t perfect in throwing on the run. Stroud tends to leave it short when he does so. He needs to drive the ball more in those situations.
Stroud also could see the field better. He doesn’t always see the dropping defender in zone when they are on the line of scrimmage.
He also throws too often off of his back foot. That comes from drifting away from pressure and using his arm arrogance to make plays.
Overview
| Arm Strength | 9.1/10 |
| Accuracy | 9.1/10 |
| Mechanics | 8.9/10 |
| Ball Placement | 9.1/10 |
| Throwing Motion | 9.0/10 |
| Progressions | 8.7/10 |
| Decision Making | 9.1/10 |
| Functional Mobility | 8.5/10 |
| Durability | 8.3/10 |
| Poise | 8.7/10 |
| Grade | 88.5/100 First Round |
It’s easy to love Stroud’s game, as he knows how to operate within structure at a very high level. He is exactly the kind of quarterback that will thrive in nearly any passing scheme.
