CJ Stroud boldly states which NFL WR he wants to team up with in 2023 - "That's who I would like to throw to"
CJ Stroud is one of the best overall prospects entering the 2023 NFL draft. The Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback is projected to go near the top of the first round of the draft this year. He is one of the headliners, along with Bryce Young of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Will Levis of the Kentucky Wildcats. NFL scouts consider this one of the most loaded quarterback draft classes ever.
Several teams at the top of the 2023 NFL draft order will likely be interested in selecting CJ Stroud. He was recently asked during an interview with the "Boardroom" which wide receiver he would most like to team up with. He said:
"Retired receivers? I'm going with Ochocinco. Routes? If you know anything about who Ochocinco loves, that will give you your answer. So if you watch Ochocinco, who his favorite route runner is in the league, that's who I would like to throw to."
CJ Stroud wants to team up with #Raiders WR Davante Adams
He doesn’t say it outright, but he says he wants to play with @ochocinco’s favorite route runner in football (which he said was Davante Adams)
https://t.co/FzJYxkjnKt
Chad Ochocinco, a former wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, has claimed that his favorite route runner currently in the NFL is Davante Adams. CJ Stroud clearly stated that he hopes to team up with Adams if he can pick any wide receiver. This in turn means that he could have his sights set on the Las Vegas Raiders as his top choice of team to join for the 2023 NFL season.
https://t.co/eHZGw1K3UL
The Las Vegas Raiders currently own the seventh pick in the 2023 NFL draft. It's possible that Stroud could fall to them in this position, but they may need to trade up a few spots if they want to land him. They are expected to be in the market for a new quarterback this year, so pairing with Stroud seems to make some sense.
CJ Stroud could solve a major problem for the Raiders in 2023
The Derek Carr era appears to be over in Las Vegas. The Raiders benched him for the final two games of the 2022 NFL season before exploring potential trade options for their quarterback. Carr recently informed the team that he will exercise his no-trade clause, so he's now expected to be released into free agency.
The quarterback search will now begin for the Raiders ahead of the 2023 NFL season. Rumors have connected them with Aaron Rodgers in a potential trade, while free agency and the 2023 NFL draft each present additional options for them. CJ Stroud should be near the top of their list of quarterback targets, especially since he's indicating he wants to team up with Davante Adams.
CJ Stroud is projected to be a starter immediately for any team that drafts him. If the Raiders decide to do so, he could give them a competitive chance of returning to the playoffs this year.