Despite new mock, C.J. Stroud could go two overall in Draft

Mel Kiper of ESPN came out with his new mock draft today. It’s his third version of this draft, so things have changed a bit since he did his last one. He has C.J. Stroud projected to go first overall to the Carolina Panthers based on Frank Reich’s track record with previous quarterbacks.

All of the quarterbacks that Reich has worked with in the past have been bigger quarterbacks. Quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan are all at least 6’4. Stroud stands at 6’3 and about 215 pounds, so he’s in line with that size.

The other quarterback who is vying for that number one overall spot is Bryce Young. Young is one of the smallest quarterbacks ever to be talked about possibly going number one. He doesn’t fit the mold of someone that Reich has coached before or developed.

Despite that, Todd McShay, Kiper’s colleague at ESPN, mentioned something very interesting during their live draft show that I caught on Twitter. He mentioned that a scout that he trusts has told him that Young will go number one to the Panthers. McShay mentions that this scout has not been wrong yet when it comes to telling him where QBs will go in the last six or seven drafts.

That would mean that Stroud would end up going number two overall to Houston. At this point, it seems locked in that Stroud will be one of the top two picks regardless of how he performs at his Pro Day later this week. He will go to either Carolina or Houston.

I think it’s interesting that McShay mentioned this about C.J. Stroud. If someone at Carolina likes Young that much, so be it. I still think Stroud is the best prospect in the draft because you don’t have to worry about him getting hurt every time he gets hit. His body can withstand multiple hits.

The speculation won’t end until just over a month from now. Until then, we just have to see what other intel comes out. You can check out Kiper’s full mock draft on ESPN+.