Texans WR shares bold C.J. Stroud, Dak Prescott take

Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown had Dallas Cowboys star Dak Prescott as his quarterback from 2017 through this past season and believes rookie C.J. Stroud could one day match or better Prescott's accomplishments. 

"They're both great quarterbacks—great arm talent," Brown said when comparing Stroud and Prescott, according to Coty M. Davis of FanNation's Texans Daily. "That's a great class to be in. I think (Stroud) has all the potential to live up to that, maybe even surpass it. So, you know, I'm rooting for C.J. and I’m willing to have his back on anything." 

While Davis Mills made it known last month he isn't handing the starting job to Stroud without a fight this summer, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer wrote on Monday that this year's second overall pick "had a very nice spring" and showed "early signs of justifying his lofty draft position." Breer added that "the coaches and front office folks have seen other players, even the vets, gravitating toward Stroud, who’s easygoing and comfortable as a leader" ahead of training camp. 

Like Stroud, Brown played college football with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The 27-year-old, who joined the Texans in March, noted that the first-year pro was as good as advertised during mandatory minicamp practices. 

"I know C.J. has great arm talent," Brown continued. "The little bit of time I've been here working with him, he's picked up the offense fast, taken ownership of his reps. I think that can only lead to positive things." 

Per DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters last week the competition between Stroud and Mills will continue into training camp with the two splitting first-team reps leading up to the preseason opener at the New England Patriots on Aug. 10. It sounds like Brown would support Ryans starting Stroud against New England and for the Week 1 clash at the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 10.