2025 Dynasty Riser: C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud delivered a stellar rookie season, and even with fewer splash plays in 2024, he remains one of the most valuable quarterbacks in dynasty fantasy football — and he’s only getting better. Let’s jump into why Stroud is a strong buy in startup drafts — and why this rising star is still being undervalued in current rankings.
Why C.J. Stroud Should Be Ranked Higher in Dynasty Startups
According to Dynasty League Football, C.J. Stroud is currently ranked as the QB13 in 1QB formats and QB9 in Superflex startup drafts. In both formats, he’s being drafted behind Kyler Murray and Justin Herbert.
Stroud, just 23 years old, is already playing like a seasoned veteran, with only 17 interceptions across two NFL seasons. He’s averaging 3,917 passing yards and just over 21 touchdowns per year.
Sure, you’d like to see the touchdowns trend upward — but the trajectory is clear: he’s ascending.
By comparison, Justin Herbert, who is entering his sixth NFL season, has averaged 27 touchdowns per year. Herbert started hot, throwing over 30 touchdowns early in his career, but his production has since cooled off.
Kyler Murray still offers a strong rushing floor, but his arm talent doesn’t do enough to balance out his inconsistencies as a passer. He’s the definition of a boom-or-bust quarterback — capable of explosive fantasy weeks, but just as likely to follow them with a dud. As Forrest Gump once said:
“Life is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re gonna get”. And that’s Kyler Murray in your dynasty lineup. I covered him more in-depth in a recent article over at Fantasy in Frames. Check it out here: 2025 Dynasty Faller: Kyler Murray.
Stroud’s Deep Ball Efficiency Sets Him Apart
If you’re building a dynasty fantasy roster, you want a quarterback who pushes the ball downfield, not a “checkdown Charlie.” C.J. Stroud fits that mold perfectly.
In his rookie season, he finished QB7 in air yards, then improved to QB3 last year, showing he’s not afraid to take shots deep. That aggressive mindset creates game-changing plays, and those big moments translate to fantasy points. Stroud doesn’t just throw deep — he connects. He ranked 16th in deep-ball accuracy on throws of 20+ air yards, per Fantasy Points Data. That places him squarely in the mix with other fantasy-relevant quarterbacks — and with another year of development, he’s poised to take another leap.
Why Sack Numbers Don’t Tell the Full Story
C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times — the second most in the NFL last season. But only five of those were attributed to his decision-making. That means the majority of the pressure came from an underperforming offensive line, not from Stroud himself.
To fix it, the Texans added:
- Cam Robinson (LT) – to stabilize the blindside
- Trent Brown (T) – for tackle depth and competition
- Ed Ingram (RG) – a proven starter from the Minnesota Vikings
- Laken Tomlinson (LG) – durable interior anchor
Texans Wide Receiver Updates for 2025 Season
The Texans selected two Iowa State wide receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft:
- Jayden Higgins (Round 2, Pick 34) brings size at 6’4″ and plays with a physical edge — a potential red zone weapon
- Jaylin Noel (Round 3, Pick 79) adds vertical speed and the ability to stretch the field— something Stroud needs in this offense, especially while Tank Dell recovers from his gruesome injury
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let This Buy Window Close
It’s time to follow the great Warren Buffett’s advice. “Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful.”
The market is down on Stroud right now — that’s your signal to buy before the rest catch on.