One of the feel-good stories in the NFL through Week 7 has been the Houston Texans. If there was something a franchise could do incorrectly over the last few years, the Texans were doing it as they became the laughingstock of the league.

This was the fourth straight year they had a different head coach leading the way on the sidelines, which is an awful way to do business. But, they look to have gotten it right this time with former linebacker DeMeco Ryans leading the way.

Not only did the Texans look to get their head coaching hire correct, but they look to have hit a home run at the quarterback position as well. With the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Houston selected Ohio State quarterback, C.J. Stroud.

Stroud has been far and away the best player at his position in the draft class, setting the Texans up for future success. Not only is he the best in his class, but Stroud is beginning to garner some national attention as well.

Every week, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports does a quarterbacks power ranking. With the Texans heading into their bye in Week 7, Stroud found himself moving up the rankings, coming in at No. 10. That put him one spot ahead of his AFC South counterpart Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“He should be at the top of the polls for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Even after throwing his first career pick against the Saints, he hung in there against a tough “D.” Houston is a surprise spoiler, and his quiet leadership is carrying them.”

Despite the first turnover of his NFL career, Stroud still led his team to victory over the New Orleans Saints. That victory was the third on the season for the Texans, who have already matched their total from the 2022 season. With one more win, they will match the total they had in 2021 and 2020 as well.

This year’s offense is arguably the best the Texans have had since 2012 when they were led by Matt Schaub and top 10 in the NFL, winning 12 games under Gary Kubiak. The fact it is occurring with a rookie in Stroud leading the way has provided a ton of hope and optimism for the franchise and its fans in the future.

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