Texans Rumors: C.J. Stroud Visiting HOU Ahead of 2023 NFL Draft

Former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is set to meet with the Houston Texans on Wednesday as part of his pre-draft visits, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Stroud, 21, is set to be one of the first players, let alone quarterbacks, to be taken off the board in the upcoming NFL draft on April 27. Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department projected he will go No. 1 overall to the Carolina Panthers in its latest mock draft.

The Texans hold the second overall pick, so Stroud would be a prime option for them if he hasn't been taken already.

Following a rough few seasons, Houston is looking to begin a new era under recently hired head coach DeMeco Ryans, who was hired away from the San Francisco 49ers where he solidified himself as one of the best defensive coordinators in the league.

The Texans went 3-13-1 in their lone season with Lovie Smith at the helm in 2022.

Davis Mills has been the lead signal caller over the past couple of seasons but has gone just 5-20-1 over that span. He's failed to pan out since being taken in the third round of the 2021 draft.

Now, it's time for a new face of the franchise in Houston and it could be Stroud if things shake out right.

Stroud led the Buckeyes to an appearance in the College Football Playoffs in 2022 and showed out on the biggest stage. He threw for 348 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in the national semifinal loss against Georgia in the Peach Bowl.

He was a Heisman Trophy finalist each of the past two seasons.

Stroud worked out with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, they hold the No. 4 pick and are likely not in the running to select Stroud or Alabama's Bryce Young.

Young is actually who has been projected as the Texans' pick the most over the past few weeks, including by Bleacher Report. He was the Heisman winner in 2021 and passed for 8,356 yards in his collegiate career to go along with 80 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions.