Texans’ Tank Dell: C.J. Stroud Can Compete with Patrick Mahomes to Be NFL’s Best QB

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell believes C.J. Stroud could eventually compete with reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes to earn the title of NFL’s best quarterback.

“I for sure feel like C.J. got the opportunity to be the best quarterback in the league,” Dell said on an episode of I AM ATHLETE (1:30 mark.) “Not me just saying it because who he is to me, but just what I’m seeing him do, each and every week.”

Dell continued: “I feel like C.J. got to just keep doing what he doing to bridge the gap between him and Mahomes, because I’m not gonna lie, Mahomes is special… it’s for sure going to be a lot of work that have to be put in with No. 7, but I just feel like, if he keep doing what he doing, he on the right path.”

Dell said Stroud put himself on the path to reaching the level of the Kansas City Chiefs star by spending off days during his rookie season sending his teammates videos of their upcoming opponents.

He would then provide notes about who to watch on the other team and what he plans to throw against them, Dell said.

“I know a lot of quarterbacks do it, but just him being so young, he a rookie, he up 11 o’clock at night, that was just crazy to me,” Dell said.

After he was drafted with the No. 2 pick in 2023, Stroud went 9-6 across 15 starts while throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions.

The Texans went on to make a playoff appearance for the first time since 2019 as Stroud helped lift Houston past the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round.

Dell said the Texans can help Stroud grow in Year 2 if they “keep bringing in pieces to help the team grow as a unit,” particularly on defense. With additions like Danielle Hunter joining the team this offseason, Houston will be hoping to see Stroud take his game to the next level this fall.