LAS VEGAS — C.J. Stroud wasn’t the first pick of the NFL Draft. But he might be the No. 1 rookie quarterback of all time.
Stroud had an unbelievable rookie season for the Houston Texans, breaking several records. And on Thursday night he won Offensive Rookie of the Year at NFL Honors, the league’s annual awards gala.
“There’s been a lot of support I’ve had over the years to make this dream come true,” Stroud said backstage after receiving his award. “It has been a heck of a ride.”
It took a monster season from Stroud to beat out Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua, who set multiple rookie records himself including the single season record for receiving yards by a rookie. Stroud, the second pick of the draft, was excellent from beginning to end and in the playoffs as well, leading his Texans to a wild-card round win over the Cleveland Browns.
CJ Stroud adds to his historic rookie campaign 👏 pic.twitter.com/nT3Fyt8D5g
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 9, 2024
Stroud got 48 of 50 first-place votes and two second-place votes. Nacua got two first-place votes and 48 second-place votes.
Stroud was part of a stellar rookie class for the Texans, which included pass rusher Will Anderson Jr., the No. 3 overall pick of the draft who also had a big impact and won Defensive Rookie of the Year later in the night at NFL Honors.
“It speaks volumes to the type of people you have in the building,” Anderson said about he and Stroud both winning rookie of the year.
