Texans QB C.J. Stroud enters Week 8 No. 10 in CBS Sports power rankings

There are stats galore as to why C.J. Stroud is a top-10 quarterback, but sometimes it just takes the eyeball test.

According to Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports, the Houston Texans’ rookie signal caller is the 10th-best quarterback in the latest power rankings.

The Texans are averaging 3.2 yards per carry on the ground, so the rookie QB has received subpar run support. Even still, his composure, ball control and downfield vision have enabled Houston to stay more competitive than expected.

Stroud’s ball security has been a key factor in the offense maintaining meaningful drives that have kept the defense fresh. While the Texans still are among the also-rans in time of possession per drive at 2:41, the 12th-shortest in the NFL, compared to last year, they were the absolute worst at 2:29 per drive. Stroud keeps drives alive and also doesn’t give away many freebies.

Across the rest of the AFC South, Trevor Lawrence was just below Stroud at No. 11. The Indianapolis Colts’ Gardner Minshew owned No. 19. The Tennessee Titans’ Will Levis checked in at No. 31.