With the sixth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Chargers select Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert …
Justin Herbert Career Statistics
| Year | Age | Att | Comp | Comp% | PaYd | Y/A | PaTD | INT | RuYds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 18.8 | 255 | 162 | 63.53% | 1936 | 7.6 | 19 | 4 | 161 |
| 2017 | 19.8 | 206 | 139 | 67.48% | 1983 | 9.6 | 15 | 5 | 183 |
| 2018 | 20.8 | 404 | 240 | 59.41% | 3151 | 7.8 | 29 | 8 | 166 |
| 2019 | 21.8 | 428 | 286 | 66.82% | 3471 | 8.1 | 32 | 6 | 50 |
Herbert has the size (6’6”, 236 pounds, 10” hands) and arm strength that is always going to be alluring scouts and coaches. He also impressed as an athlete at the combine in Indianapolis as he registered an 89th percentile physical score for his position since 2000.
He also has 42 career starts under his belt compared to the shorter resumes for Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa, but the question surrounding Herbert’s longevity is that he never progressively improved as his collegiate career went on while his consistency throw to throw was uneven.
Against the same sample of passers of entering the league since 2000, Herbert ranks in the 62nd percentile in career yards per attempt (8.2) and in the 68th percentile in completion rate (64.0%) while he has shown to be good at limiting mistakes, ranking in the 91st percentile in TD/INT rate (4.1:1).
Herbert has a smidge of rushing production to go with his measured athleticism, rushing for 560 yards and 13 scores over his career.
Throughout the draft process, the Chargers were long rumored to be in on Herbert from the start of the draft process. As far as rookie passers go, Herbert inherits the best supporting cast of playmakers out of the box in Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, and Hunter Henry. Tyrod Taylor is in place to start the season if need be, but finds himself in a similar place to where he was in 2018 when he only lasted three games as a starter in front of a top draft pick.
The Chargers are built supremely better than that Cleveland team to stay in the hunt with Taylor, but Herbert’s offensive clock is starting right away with the Chargers having Allen and Henry only under contract for 2020 and Williams pending a fifth-year option after this season. Once a starter, Herbert is like the rest of these rookies as a QB2 option in 2QB leagues and a streamer in 1QB formats.
