2020 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 5 quarterbacks in preseason

1. Justin Herbert, Oregon

Height: 6-6
Weight: 233 pounds

2018 production:
59 percent completion rate; 3,151 yards; 29 touchdowns; 8 interceptions

2018 games watched:
California (best film); Washington State; Washington; Arizona State (worst film); Stanford; Michigan State

Strengths:

When Justin Herbert throws the football, he makes it look so fluid and effortless as the ball seems to glide out of his hand. He displays great strength on his throws as well, able to push it into tight windows.

While it may not always have the accuracy of Tagovailoa’s deep shot, Herbert throws far and away the most beautiful deep ball of the class; it does not hurt that his accuracy his close behind the Heisman runner-up’s.

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Herbert has a special ability to leave a ball where only his guy can get it and is beyond brilliant with how he cares for the football. His accuracy on short to intermediate throws remains untouched by the others in this class, and his timing on these throws is impeccable as the ball is on its way to the receiver as they make their breaks. He excels on bootlegs and on the run and has excellent mobility for a 6-6 and 233-pound quarterback.

Herbert’s pocket presence, when asked to throw from the pocket, is stunning as well. The movement of his eyes as he scans the field allows for him to look off defenders and avoid locking onto his primary target.

The most impressive throws Herbert makes are the most difficult ones. One more than a handful of occasions, the Oregon signal caller was able to throw corner routes with the appropriate amount of touch necessary to squeeze the ball over the defender.

Weaknesses:

Herbert tends to press when Oregon had to play from behind, as evidenced by a couple of bad interceptions against the Washington State Cougars.

Watching Herbert’s film left a hunger for more. Whether he takes his foot off the gas or the play calling becomes too conservative when the Ducks jumped out to leads, Herbert and Oregon blew two-score games against both Arizona State and Stanford in 2018.

It is impossible to watch Herbert’s film without recognizing the numerous dropped passes and deep balls just off the fingertips of his receivers. His adjusted completion percentage would be well above 60 percent had every catchable play been made.

Herbert got off to slow starts in multiple games before having to fight from behind, putting himself and his team in a bad position.

Summary:

It seems like Herbert has incredible intangibles and technique to be a day-one starter at the next level and would have been the top rated quarterback had he come out this year. While there were times where Herbert struggled early, he has the ability to completely turn it on at any time. Entering the 2019 season, he sits atop the quarterback rankings of draft eligible players.