ESPN Draft expert Matt Miller breaks down CJ Stroud and Bryce Young

In what many expect to be one of the best quarterback classes in recent memory, two college prospects have separated themselves from the field in the hunt to come off the board first in the 2023 NFL Draft. Defending Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and Ohio State star CJ Stroud appear the most likely to come off the board first, as ESPN Draft expert Matt Miller projects in his latest mock draft.

During an appearance on ESPN’s This Just In, Matt Miller spoke about his preference for CJ Stroud over Bryce Young heading into the 2022 season.

“I think it honestly comes down to size,” said Miller. “We’re talking about CJ Stroud, who’s 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, versus Bryce Young, who is listed at 6-foot and 194 pounds. Did you guys see him at the Heisman ceremony? He does not look 6-foot and 194 pounds, so I think we might see what those real numbers are real soon. And that could hurt Bryce Young. He’s a point guard at the position, he’s a natural distributor of the ball, he’s got great field vision.

“But CJ Stroud, that size, that arm strength. Remember in the Rose Bowl game? Almost 600 yards passing, six touchdowns. Utah couldn’t stop him even though everyone knew where they were going with the ball. So I think CJ Stroud at least enters the year with the most momentum and with the best overall traits in what looks like a loaded quarterback class.”

Miller currently has Stroud going No. 5 overall to the Atlanta Falcons and Young going No. 7 overall to the Carolina Panthers where they could settle the debate twice each season in the NFC South.

CJ Stroud, Bryce Young lead Heisman odds

After jumping reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young last month, CJ Stroud is holding steady as the odds leader in Vegas for the award in 2022. Stroud had an impressive debut season for the Buckeyes, throwing for 4,435 yards with 44 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 2021.

Young’s odds of winning the trophy in back-to-back fashion are still high, however, new USC quarterback Caleb Williams is closing in at +800. Williams’ spring with the Trojans gave bettors a good feeling about the former Oklahoma star’s future in Los Angeles.

Stroud currently sits at +200 in the odds with Bryce Young the only player close to him at +350 in June. With plenty time left for all the debates over the two quarterbacks to be settled, they both hope to lead their teams back to the College Football Playoff and a national championship.