Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts: C.J. Stroud is the Answer at Quarterback

Episode Date: January 25, 2023

The Indianapolis Colts will be selecting a quarterback with a top-five pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Is C.J. Stroud the perfect fit? Zach and Jon Hagler (@JonHaglerCR) dive into how Stroud can succeed i...n the league, some concerns with his game, and how he could fit with the Colts.Find and follow Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms:🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOColts?sid=YouTube📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdpxJspi1hMh5HL7ExpWOQLocked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNFLFollow Jake and Zach's written work on HorseshoeHuddle.com, and give them a follow on Twitter @JakeArthurNFL, @ZachHicks2, @LockedOnColts, and @ColtsOnFN!Today's episode is brought to you by Ultimate Football GM. Ever dreamed of becoming an NFL GM and managing your football franchise? Then this game is definitely for you! To download the game just visit; ultimate DASH gm DOT COM or look it up on the app stores. Our listeners get a 100% free boost to their franchise when using the promo LOCKEDON (ALL CAPS) in the game.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFLBuilt BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.PrizePicksFirst time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDONUltimate Football GMTo download the game just visit Ultimate-GM.com or look it up on the app stores. Our listeners get a 100% free boost to their franchise when using the promo LOCKEDON (ALL CAPS) in the game store.FanDuelMake Every Moment More. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet to get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in Free Bets – win or lose! Visit Fanduel.com/LockedOn today to get startedFANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:00 With there being a slight lull in the Indianapolis Colts head coaching search, it's time to dive into this QB search. Today we're going to dive into one of the Colts draft prospects and talk about how he could fit with this team in the near future. Let's get to it. You are Locked On Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Colts fans, thank you for tuning in and making us your first listen of the day.
Starting point is 00:00:48 This is your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Today's episode is brought to you by Ultimate Football GM. Ever dreamed of becoming an NFL GM and managing your football franchise? Then this game is definitely for you. To download the game, just visit ultimate-gm.com or look it up on the app stores. Our listeners get a 100% free boost to their franchise when using the promo code LOCKEDON in all caps in the game.
Starting point is 00:01:18 So today, guys, we're going to be talking about a certain quarterback prospect, someone that you guys are very familiar with, and that is CJ Stroud of Ohio State. And as always on Zach Hicks, your normal co-host, I kicked Jake off for this episode and brought my guy, John Hagler. You guys know him. You guys love him. He's been on the show plenty of times in the past. We've talked game recaps. We've talked certain players, and we've talked draft prospects before so hag welcome back to the show and and we're going to start off this first segment here talking about the strengths of cj stroud and talking about how he could work in the nfl so before we jump into all that though cj
Starting point is 00:01:55 stroud is your guy that's like your quarterback in this class right yeah yeah he's he he's my favorite pro prospect um at the quarterback position. I'm biased. You know, you can peep the chair behind me. But, you know, I'm biased. I love Bryce Young. But I think, you know, my favorite quarterback in this class is C.J. Stroud. I think he fits all the measurables.
Starting point is 00:02:18 You know, he's got the height. He's got the weight. There's not a ton of bad about C.J. Stroud. He's a prototypical quarterback, another one out of California. It's like they're a factory now. I really like his game. He's pro-ready. He can make all the throws. He doesn't have the Josh Allen arm, but it's enough to last a long time in the NFL.
Starting point is 00:02:38 There's not a ton of mechanical flaws with his throwing motion, his feet. He's solid. He's solid all the way around he's the safest quarterback i feel like in this draft um he may have the lowest ceiling but you know he has the highest floor so yeah for sure and and we're going to talk about some of our concerns in the next segment to start off though just talking all positive and really hyping this guy up and talking about what's good with him i'm going to list off a couple things that i really like about his game and you can add to that or you can agree or disagree with me.
Starting point is 00:03:08 But I think he is a quintessential touch passer. You know, I think when you think of CJ Stroud and you think of his highlights, it's those touch passes. You know, it can be down the sideline 40 yards. It could be on a crosser. It could be on a red zone fade or something like that. Whenever he has an opportunity to throw a touch ball, I think he throws the cleanest touch pass since Jared Goff,
Starting point is 00:03:29 when Jared Goff was coming in. Jared Goff, every time he did a touch pass, it was like, oh, there, you know it's going to go right in the bucket. And that's kind of CJ Stroud, too. You know it's going to fall in that bucket when he's throwing with touch. So I think that's his best trait for sure. On top of that, I think he throws with great anticipation. He really understands how to throw guys open.
Starting point is 00:03:49 I think that was my favorite thing about him is, you know, when a guy's running a simple hitch route or a guy's running a dig or something like that, he's not throwing that dig. He's not throwing that hitch. He's throwing guys open within that route, you know, throwing it more back shoulder so the guy can win more to the outside. He's throwing it more to like a little bit lower so it can protect his player from the hit.
Starting point is 00:04:08 I think that is such an underrated aspect of playing quarterback that he does really well. And on top of that, you know, he can layer throws. He makes a lot of NFL caliber throws that you don't see from other guys in this class. So I'm really impressed by all that stuff. And, you know, again, I love mobility. I like guys who can get outside the the pocket but he operates really well with instruction within that pocket and when he's within structure he's surgical you know so those are my biggest strengths with him and I think projecting into the NFL having those strengths especially the touch throws and and throwing guys open I think that's a huge thing oh no doubt that's you know another way to trade with quarterbacks
Starting point is 00:04:44 in general is can you throw guys open and that's that's one of just say uh i like to point out to her i don't know if anybody throws guys open better than to her talk about lower um so that's kind of like the guy that drew breeze type type motion but you know cj strong there's a ton of pros to his game um and you know i had a lot of those same things you just talked about literally Literally on my pros, my pro section over here to the right, I have layers. The ball well has great touch to all parts of the field. The other game was his Deshaun Watson moment in college football for me. Don't overthink it. Go get the guy. I feel like he plays for his receivers. And the the thing that I like to label the most, especially in 2023 with quarterback prospects,
Starting point is 00:05:25 I'm looking for a triple-A quarterback. All right? Triple-A quarterback is a guy that has the arm, he has the accuracy, and he has the athleticism to play in the modern-day football. And C.J. Stroud has all of those. Those are my pros for him. Like I said, I love the guy. I love his game.
Starting point is 00:05:40 I love the Jared Goff comparison right there. I feel like he has that Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers type athleticism, but he does a good job of creating plays by trying to pass the ball. He's not just trying to run. Yeah, yeah, for sure. He is a pure passer. You know, I think if you average out his rushing yards per game in college, it's like three.
Starting point is 00:06:01 You know, it's not much. You know, he's not looking to run. Honestly, the game he looked to run the most was that Georgia game that we just saw. But honestly, while we're talking positives here, for a quarterback like C.J. Stroud, there are some concerns on film we'll talk about in the next segment that make him not this perfect prospect. But if you only watch that Georgia game, there are no concerns.
Starting point is 00:06:23 There's no concerns. You draft him day one no one overall today tomorrow 10 years from now that was uh it's such an incredible moment because he did everything you wanted him to do and then some right and while being shorthanded not having his two top receiving out of where the first half he had it but you look at it he didn't have jsn in the game he didn't have marv harrison the second half he didn't have J.S. Hinton in that game. He didn't have Marv Harrison in the second half. He didn't have a starting running back, Trevion Henderson. And he elevated his team, and they took Georgia to the deep end, to the 12th round right there.
Starting point is 00:06:53 And honestly, they should have won that football game. But that's everything you want to see in a quarterback, dog. Yeah, and I think it's fascinating because you and I did a podcast like this similarly last year, and we talked about Desmond Ritter. Desmond Ritter, good prospect. There were some good things to like about his game and he could be a successful NFL guy. But when that, when the bright lights came on against Alabama and that playoff game, I know he had the talent that CJ Stroud has around him. Don't get me wrong.
Starting point is 00:07:16 It's a very different thing, but he just didn't step up. You know, he, he looked like a scared college quarterback that was overwhelmed. CJ Stroud on the other hand, had some concerns on film, a guy that we didn't think was going to be, again, a good prospect before going into that game. But, like, every doubt you had about him on the biggest stage, the biggest game of his entire career, he comes out and answers all of those questions.
Starting point is 00:07:41 And I hate doing the one-game scouting thing, but, like, how do you not see that and go, go like this is a guy who could go number one you know it was a cherry on top i think going into that game i think across the board uh i think across the board i think it was bryce young right he finished extremely strong and then i think it was some conversation i think it was cj stroud and would he get jumped by the the toolsy quarterback who was next whether it's levis or richards Richardson right right after that game it shifted and it's like it's CJ Stroud QB1 because he got that dog in it you know what I'm saying he got he got that dog in him and and he did some things that were uncharacteristic for him you know like I said he ran around a little bit more he made
Starting point is 00:08:20 made more people miss more tackles he created more plays with his legs against. I guess a team that, quite frankly, nobody looked like that all year or for two years except for Bryce Young. And so it kind of made people ask a few more questions. Yeah, yeah, for sure. And to close the segment here, talking about how these guys can kind of succeed in the NFL, I don't think Stroud is someone who's like a Levis or even like a Bryce Young. I think there's a specific scheme where Bryce Young can find more success.
Starting point is 00:08:46 For me, I think Stroud can kind of find success in a lot of different ways. It doesn't have to be in, you know, in this specific like West Coast scheme or vertical passing offense. But I think the biggest thing for me that I'm thinking of, and this is kind of for all young quarterbacks, but especially for him, you got to have a good offensive line. You got to have a good offensive line because Bryce Young thrives in that chaos and maybe a guy like Anthony Richardson can run through that chaos CJ Stroud is an in-structure quarterback even when he showed some good things against Georgia he's an in-structure guy and you want to have you know a game a type of offense that lets him get that ball out quick and allows him to play with in-structure where he's at his best.
Starting point is 00:09:25 Oh yeah, no, a hundred percent. And, and, and he's surgical, like you said earlier, surgical in those type of environments. He makes it look easy.
Starting point is 00:09:32 He doesn't miss layups. You know, if you give CJ Stroud a window, if you give CJ Stroud an open guy, he's going to make you pay. And I think, you know, saying having that structure,
Starting point is 00:09:40 having that old line, having that running game behind him, I think that's what's really going to maximize his skillset and his game on the next level. Definitely. Definitely. Definitely. Now, if you guys are listening to this so far, you that O-line, having that running game behind him, I think that's what's really going to maximize his skill set and his game on the next level. Definitely, definitely. Now, if you guys are listening to this so far, you're thinking, wow, this is QB1, first overall pick, best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck, all these great things.
Starting point is 00:09:55 But, guys, don't worry. Coming up next, we are going to talk all about the reasons why you should be terrified. See you, Straub. No doubt. But first, today's episode is brought to you by Ultimate Football GM. You've heard us talk about this mobile game app, and I can't tell you
Starting point is 00:10:10 how much fun I've had competing against my fellow Locked On NFL host. Chris Carter of Locked On Steelers was our Locked On NFL champion. Jake might have got us to win, but he got fired. It's just how it happens. He struggles, man. Jake shouldn't be a GM, just like I shouldn't be a GM either.
Starting point is 00:10:27 But you guys, you guys can surpass us. Jump on the Ultimate Football GM today. And, you know, it's your guys' turn to compete. But more on that later, you know, ever dreamed of becoming an NFL GM and managing your football franchise? Well, your dream can come true, in this game is definitely for you. Whichever strategic aspect of your team, play through seasons, and lead your team to glory trying to build a dynasty. Locked on Colts listeners get a 100% free boost to their franchise when using the promo code LOCKEDON in all caps in the game store.
Starting point is 00:10:57 That's LOCKEDON in all caps. Make sure to check it out today. To download the game, just visit ultimate-gm.com or look it up on app stores. Just visit ultimate-gm.com or look it up on app stores. That's ultimate-gm.com. Ultimate Football GM. Start your dynasty today. All right, Hag.
Starting point is 00:11:13 So now we're going to tear down everything we just said about CJ Stroud. And I'll say my biggest concern in why I was considering – like I have Anthony Richardson really high. I love Anthony Richardson. We'll do a whole thing on Anthony Richardson because I just can't get enough of what he can be uh but I was kind of debating the Will Levis versus CJ Stroud for a while going into that Georgia game because when I was watching this film especially against Iowa especially against Penn State this is CJ Stroud I'm talking about. I was very concerned with him under pressure and under duress. You know, this is a guy when he was under duress, he made poor decisions.
Starting point is 00:11:53 He didn't really look strong in the pocket. He made, you know, my biggest faux pas with quarterbacks when they spin out of the pocket, that's kind of clean. They just spin, put their back to the pocket and run backwards. You know, I saw some of that and you know, with his arm, his arm isn't elite. You know, his arm is good. It's not great. So when he's off structure and he has asked to be creative,
Starting point is 00:12:12 that arm talent kind of shows a little bit, and he kind of short-arms some things. So I was terrified. I know the Georgia game kind of eases me a little bit, but I still can't ignore the other games this year where, against pressure, man, I'm a little bit concerned. Well, and that's it. You know, when you look at it, you know, some of my cons and some of my things right here, you know,
Starting point is 00:12:31 the question before the Georgia game was why doesn't he use his mobility? Right. He's mobile. He's a great athlete. He's mobile. And then I have blitz with a question mark next to it. Can he handle the Blitz? And you know it's coming.
Starting point is 00:12:47 You know the Blitz is coming on the next level. And that's, you know, you brought up Anthony Richards, and that was one of the things, like, I saw him in person, and he thrived in it. Yes. He thrived in it. And so as a young quarterback, people are going to Blitz you. You're probably going to go into a bad team anyway.
Starting point is 00:13:02 You're not going to have the most talent around you like you've had at Ohio State. He's got NFL linemen. He's got NFL receivers and all those things going around him. Can he handle it if the Texans, you know, are going to grab him or if, you know, a franchise that doesn't have an elite O-line, can they protect him? And will he be able to handle it? Because I don't have a question about Bryce Young.
Starting point is 00:13:21 You know, Bryce Young is more so is will he be able to hold up with the durability because if you blitz Bryce Young, he's going to rip your head off. It's better just to drop eight on him and just take the chances with his accuracy, but I don't think you win either way with a guy like Bryce Young, but C.J. Stroud, it's a serious question.
Starting point is 00:13:40 The Georgia game kind of made us feel a little bit better because Georgia threw a little bit of everything at him. He thrived. He had the game of his life. Can you do that week in and week out on the NFL? Right, right. And it's so weird, too, because in one way, he's like if Dak Prescott. You know, Dak Prescott, the way that Dak moves, the way that Dak is creative around the pocket, the way that Dak can run.
Starting point is 00:14:01 It's like if Dak Prescott had Jared Goff's mind in the backfield you know yeah that's great because it's not like it's not like he's terrible you know like it's not like it's not like this is some guy who can't move you know you're not talking about a statue you're just talking about a guy who plays like that most times and so that Georgia game that Georgia game he he corrected all of it it was so weird to watch because when I was explaining to people you know how oh I want more of a mobile passer and not a pocket passer like CJ Stroud they were like oh He corrected all of it. It was so weird to watch because when I was explaining to people, you know, how, oh, I want more of a mobile passer and not a pocket passer like CJ Stroud, they were like, oh, yeah, he's athletic.
Starting point is 00:14:31 I'm like, I'm not saying he's not athletic. He's just – he doesn't use it, you know. It was weird. He's a shooting guard that doesn't shoot a lot of threes. Yeah. It's weird. It's like, man, like this guy is knocking down 43% of his three-pointers. How many three-pointers is he taking in? Two.
Starting point is 00:14:45 I need four. I want to see. I think I was reading earlier, he doubled his rushing attempts in that Georgia game that he did all year. Yeah. It's mind-boggling because then you see and you're like, you could be a nightmare for people. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:15:02 Why aren't you? And so that's the question about it because you sit there and you go, do I take this guy, number one overall, number two overall, or QB one? Is he the guy that I need to help rebuild this franchise? Because you're not going to come into a perfect situation. You know what I mean? Honestly, I think the teams picking at the top that are going to take QB, it's a better situation than it has been in years past.
Starting point is 00:15:25 But it's still never ideal for a young guy. And that's just one of the things you have to ask yourself about C.J. Stroud. Can he handle the blitz? Is he willing to be more mobile in the NFL? Yeah. And then my other thing on top of that, again, with his arm not being elite, it's a good arm, guys. I'm not saying he has a bad arm whatsoever. It's a good arm. It's not Will Levis arm it's not will levitz it's not anthony richardson it's closer to a dac or a golf you know where it's a good arm it's an nfl caliber arm but i i have concerns when he's asked to move off of his plant you know when when he's in the pocket and he's able to do his three-step drop and drive
Starting point is 00:16:00 perfect but when he's asked to move out of that pocket like even if he reads the pocket well leaves the pocket like he's supposed to have some concerns with how he gets the ball out and stuff like that i think he loses some velocity especially if he's rolling to his left i have seen a lot that he loses a lot of velocity that way um i don't think it's a major concern it's not as major as the other thing we were just talking about but it's another thing thing where, again, this is why a guy like Will Levis or Anthony Richardson is so enticing because they could be throwing off their back foot, falling outside the pocket, and they're going to throw it 60 yards on a dot if they could fix that stuff.
Starting point is 00:16:37 But without it, he can't do that. He needs to be in structure. And like you said, if you're picking at the top of the draft, you're the Colts. The Colts have some pieces on the offensive line that should have been playing better, but they allow a lot of sacks last year, a lot of sacks, a lot of pressures. Can CJ Stroud survive in that environment where he's not a creator,
Starting point is 00:16:56 where he's not someone who thrives under pressure. He sees the right things. He's athletic enough. It's just, it's not there like it is with the other top three guys or the other top four guys. Yeah. And the thing about the Colts, when you look at the Colts is you look, I had Matt Ryan, I had these, these guys who aren't very mobile. If I'm rebuilding my team, do I go get, and like, I know, I know he's, you, you mentioned Bryce isn't his type because he's too much of a, of a, of a toolsy guy, but why not go get the mobile guy that can create plays and have weapons around me already?
Starting point is 00:17:27 Because you look at, you know, you look at, who was it, the Bears. The Bears' issue was can we get Justin Fields' weapons? We get Justin Fields' weapons, and he's doing things that he didn't normally do in college because he has to. The Colts have weapons. The Colts, I like some key pieces around the Colts. I like, you know, you got the running game.
Starting point is 00:17:48 You got a couple good receivers. You know, you're maybe one good piece away, an offensive lineman or two away from being elite. Do you take the mobile guy and let him rock out and develop, or do you take the guy who's comfortable in the pocket and chance losing him? Because if you sit there on film and watch, C.J. Stroud isn't comfortable going to his left, he's going to get a ton of pressure from his right.
Starting point is 00:18:12 And so it's just a question mark. His question marks about him, for all the pros he has, there are some cons. Yeah, it's why he's not a Trevor Lawrence caliber prospect and not Andrew Luck caliber prospect or even a Joe Burrow level one. I think, you know, he's C.J. Stroud it's he's a good spec a lot of ups and down the last thing we're talking about in this segment before we transition to our last one here is you know we said in the first segment how he can find success and the way that he can find success is going to a situation where they're going to protect him they're going to put some weapons around him and you're not asking him
Starting point is 00:18:43 to be Superman you know this is not you know Joshosh allen when he went to the bill early on his career was asked to do a lot he shouldered the load we've seen it these last couple seasons josh allen is carrying that bill's team on his back if you're asking cj stroud to do something like that it's not going to work cj stroud but if you ask him to do something like a joe burrow where yeah you're still making plays but you're, you're still making plays, but you're distributed, you're a point guard. You know, you're the passer. You're getting 10, 11, 12 assists a game. That's what C.J. Stroud can thrive in.
Starting point is 00:19:12 So this isn't even just talking about the Colts. It's just talking in general about where he's going to land. If you're asking him to shoulder the load and be that playmaker and be that acting for your offense from day one, he's not going to do that. But if you're asking him to just get that ball out of his hands and get it to the guys that need to make the plays and he can just sit back there and be that point guard, that's your guy. That is who you want back there as your quarterback.
Starting point is 00:19:33 No doubt. I think you're spot on with that. You hit the nail on the head with that one. Yeah, yeah, for sure. So, guys, coming up we're going to talk about how C.J. Stroud fits with this Indianapolis Colts team. You know, we've had some back and forth here about maybe it's scary to put him with the Colts, but maybe he could be great with the Colts.
Starting point is 00:19:48 So we're going to talk about that here coming up next. But first, the NFL playoffs are here. We're really excited. Our new sports thing part for a lot on because they're the number one sports book in America, FanDuel. And if you're new to FanDuel, that's even better. They have so many great features that make sports betting fun and easy. New customers join today to get started with $150 in free bets guaranteed.
Starting point is 00:20:11 When you place your first $5 bet, just sign up at FanDuel.com. FanDuel has all your favorite bets from the money line to point spreads to player props. Plus, you can even combine your bets for a chance at a bigger payout with the same game parlay tyler boyd against kansas city is an intriguing matchup to me this weekend because you know the bangles are going to be throwing a lot they're going against pat mahomes on the other side i don't care pat mahomes has one leg two legs two legs they're gonna have to be scored in this one so tyler boyd is at 5300 against the 24th ranked team against wide receivers definitely check that one out.
Starting point is 00:20:45 This is all on the app that's safe, secure, and super easy to use. So football fans, don't miss out. Place your first $5 bet to get $150 in free bet. Win or lose at fanduel.com slash locked on. Make every moment more with FanDuel, official sports partner of the NFL. All right, Hag. moment more with Vanduul official sports partner of the NFL all right Hag so we've kind of talked a couple ways here about how Stroud could be a great fit with the Colts and also be a terrifying fit with the Colts because of you know their online issues and some other things and he might
Starting point is 00:21:16 have to shoulder too much the load but the first thing I want to preface this with is it all depends on who this next head coach is going to be. You know, if they're hiring Dan Quinn and Brian Schottenheimer to be, you know, their offensive coordinator, and they're going to establish kind of that Russell Wilson type offense where Russ had to do a lot, this is not going to be good for CJ Stroud. But if they hire a Brian Callahan from the Bengals and maybe add some more to the offensive line, maybe add another receiver, then we're talking like some good stuff right here. So I actually love Stroud's fit with the Colts. I love these receivers for him and,
Starting point is 00:21:52 and I'll let you take it away here in a second, but like, I think he could fit really well with these playmakers at the Colts app. A hundred percent. If you ask me who the Colts are drafting, you know, tomorrow, I would say CJ Stroud.
Starting point is 00:22:05 I like the prospect of him being in Indianapolis. I think there's a lot of really, really good pieces. I think it's a franchise that we talked about throughout last year. They're not that far away. But they need a guy who can come in. Maybe they eat it for a year. You know what I'm saying? And then circle back and get that elite. You know what I'm saying? And then they circle back and get that elite.
Starting point is 00:22:26 You know what I'm saying? Maybe they hit in the draft. They've smashed the draft. Maybe they hit in the draft on the receiver. These receivers are getting pushed down. They're getting pushed down. So there's some talented receivers here. You know, where are the Colts picking in the second round?
Starting point is 00:22:37 35th as of right now. So pretty early. If you're telling me we go in and I take C.J. Stroud and then I have a Addison or a Josh Downs sitting there, you know what I'm saying? I feel like it's perfect when you throw with the weapons that the Colts currently have. And then next year you go get that elite, that tackle, not necessarily tackle, but O-line, whoever it may be, whatever piece you feel like you need because you need a couple, I think you go get them. And then you look at it, and the next year you're geared to win. You know what I'm saying?
Starting point is 00:23:10 And I feel like that's why you take a guy like C.J. Stroud, but I feel like you don't take him without adding another offensive piece because I feel like they're one or two away. Because you can get by, the Bengals have shown, you can get by with a bad O-line. But at some point you have to address it. Yeah, and it all depends on who your play caller is too again if you have i'm just gonna throw this one out there even though i think he's a great play caller he's the potential to be a great play caller but scott turner with with washington this past season a lot of vertical elements when
Starting point is 00:23:38 they had a terrible offensive line and we saw what happened in washington yeah not enough time carson wentz was getting killed taylor heineke was spinning on his head for every single game and doing his magical thing but one thing I think is very fascinating with CJ Stratton going to the Colts potentially is I've seen a lot of analysts being like oh Will Levis fits the Colts because he's an inaccurate passer and they have so many contested catch guys that he can that he will look better that way but i'm like we have the best touch passer in years coming out best touch passer in years like again since jared golf i think he is the best touch passer in years and cj stroud alec pierce is the best contest like contested catch receiver on this team like he i think he had he led the nfl in
Starting point is 00:24:23 contested catch percentage it was like 50 something percent like 53 percent of his contest catch like when you look at him in you look at you look at pierce and like i said if you add another speed guy there you you've got i've got the i've got the pieces that i need but like yeah what i'm saying is like yes will levis will throw erratic balls and alec pierce will bail him out because he's that good contested catch guy michael pitman jr will do the same thing. Jalon Woods will do the same thing. But if you give them a touch passer that knows where to put the pass, that's even better. Like that's –
Starting point is 00:24:55 Why wouldn't that be good? Yeah, yeah. Like don't get me wrong. Will Levis will throw the ball through the defender's head and it will get to – you know, it will get on the other side there to Pierce. But if you're talking, you know, one one-on-one Pierce is running vertical route and Stroud can put it on the back shoulder where he wants to put it or he can throw a touch ball to give it the perfect velocity and the perfect height for Alec Pierce to go up and win that jump ball that's better than an inaccurate a Tracy passer you know like come on like Stroud fits these guys because he can put the ball where
Starting point is 00:25:23 it needs to go. A hundred percent. And that's why I feel like you can't pass it up. If you sit there and you go, okay, obviously we keep mentioning it. You don't pass on C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young. It's just not – I think there's that big of a gap. And to be honest, Levis is good, but AR is better. Yeah. So, you know, I get the Colts and that, Levis is good, but AR is better. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:25:48 So, you know, I get the Colts and that, but CJ Stroud should be the guy for the Colts. He should be the guy in blue and white. And I just think he's going to elevate the franchise. He has a great image to him. He's a great leader. Guys love him. You know what I'm saying?
Starting point is 00:26:00 Just build around him and keep him moving. Yeah, that's the other thing we got to talk about. You know, I know Will Levis is going to get propped up a lot for his off-the-field stuff because he is a great dude. By all accounts, Will Levis, a lot of community work that's well-documented. He's a L in his coffee, though. Relax. You can't be that good of a guy. Like,
Starting point is 00:26:16 look, that's just weird. You can't do that. That's not okay. When I saw that, it made me look at them different. So when I go into my analysis of them, like that's OK. Like that's a con. When I make this Will Levis report and we talk about it, it's going to say it's going to say mayo and coffee. It's not OK. Will Levis, great man, a a lot of community service team captain from the second he stepped on campus but mayo in the coffee that's where we draw the line it's done it's a
Starting point is 00:26:53 way to play you can't do that we're gonna do a whole will levis one of these as well guys so make sure you keep your eyes out for that in the next couple of weeks that's that's how i look at well what i was saying with that point is we're gonna hear a lot this whole process about levis You keep your eyes out for that in the next couple of weeks. Mayo and coffee. That's what I look at. Well, what I was saying with that point is we're going to hear a lot this whole process about Levis' character. Because, again, high character outside of the Mayo. Like outside of the Mayo, high character. But C.J. Stroud is also a very high character guy. I mean, I think there was an article written recently about his struggles growing up and the stuff he had to go through to be where he's at.
Starting point is 00:27:25 The players love him. I mean, they have rallied around him the last couple years. And, again, they took the top team in the country the last two years to the wire through his leadership, through him leading that team down the wire. So I think when we're talking about these guys off the field and their leadership and stuff like that and who the Colts would like, yes, Will Levis will fall into that. But C.J. Stroud is right there too. C.J. Stroud is a great dude as well. It won't get as much hype because it's the way it goes. C.J. Stroud won't get it as much, but off the field, on the field, C.J. Stroud checks a ton
Starting point is 00:27:56 of boxes. If the Colts can just add some more weapons, fix that offensive line a little bit, I think he's the perfect quarterback for this franchise. Yep. Yeah. No, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's in the quarterback one conversation for a reason. He's a top five pick, you know, projected for a reason. I think he's perfect for Indy. Like I said, we had some cons. There's going to be cons with every team. It's, it's, when you look at Houston is there, are they too far away? You know,
Starting point is 00:28:24 what do they really need? A little bit of everything. ask me though if i'm a quarterback send me to indy i have taylor i have pitman i have pierce you know saying i have some guys that can play ball on defense they're a lot closer than these other teams picking the top five yeah and very much depends on who the colts hired head coach because if if they hired Jeff Saturday, then don't send me to Indy. If they hire Brian Callahan, Shane Steichen, Mike Kafka, like heck yeah, send me to Indy. Cause they're going to, they're going to have the talent and they're going to know what to do with it. But guys, that's all we have for today's episode. Make sure you leave a comment below about what you think about CJ Stroud. Do you think that we're all full of it here on this episode? Or do you think CJ Stroud is the perfect quarterback for the Colts?
Starting point is 00:29:08 Make sure you leave it in the comments and also just kind of, you know, talk about what you think about what we kind of broke down everything with CJ Stroud. We'd love to hear it. Make sure you guys are following us on social media at JakeArthurNFL, at Colts, at LockedOnColts, at ZachHicks2, and at JohnHaglerCR. We always love having Hag on here. He is the best. I'll give him my position on this podcast one of these days. But also subscribe to the
Starting point is 00:29:29 Locked On Bullets podcast on YouTube or wherever you listen to your podcasts. And thank you for making us your first listen of the day. For your next listen, check out the Locked On NFL podcast, bringing you the local insights that you love to the national spotlight with daily conversations on the biggest NFL stories. Locked On NFL, available on YouTube, wherever you get your podcasts.
Starting point is 00:29:47 We'll see you guys tomorrow.

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.