23 April 2023 , 16:58
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NFL Draft prospect CJ Stroud has been dealt another blow with Kentucky Wildcats quarterback rival Will Levis favourite to be drafted as the second overall pick.
Stroud, 21, went down in the estimations of NFL scouts and executives days before the draft after performing extremely poorly in a C2 Cognition test, scoring 18 per cent while quarterbacks such as Bryce Young - expected first overall pick - were near perfect with 98.
According to Caesars Sportsbook, Stroud has fallen behind quarterback rival Levis in the race to be the No2 overall pick with odds heavily in the Wildcats star’s favour. To make matters worse for the Ohio State Buckeyes star, he’s also fallen behind two defensive players as well.
Texas Tech linebacker Tyree Wilson and Will Anderson of Alabama Crimson Tide now have better odds with the bookmakers of landing the second overall pick ahead of Stroud.
The second overall pick is held by the Houston Texans, who also have a pick at No12. The Texans may be reluctant to wait and hope that Levis is still available come the time they need to make their second selection.
Potential No.1 draft pick CJ Stroud opens up on creative way fans criticise him
The bitter departure of former quarterback Deshaun Watson, who secured a move away from the Texans to the Cleveland Browns after an awful conflict that included a host of sexual misconduct allegations last year, could scupper a No2 pick for Stroud as well, it has been suggested.
The Texans hold the No2 pick and bookmakers Caesars Sportsbook believe Kentucky's Will Levis will be drafted second overall ahead of CJ Stroud (Getty)Watson and Stroud are represented by mega agent David Mulugheta. "There’s a lot of bad blood there,” one anonymous GM told Washington Post NFL insider Jason La Canfora.
"I don’t think (owner Cal McNair) could stomach having Mulugheta’s next top quarterback be the next face of his franchise. I think that’s a non-starter there.”
However, Canfora’s suggestions have been dismissed by Texans sources, telling TexansDaily.com that Mulugheta has too many high-profile and talented clients to ignore entirely.