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2020 NFL Draft: Best NFL fits for top 5 quarterback prospects

By Michael Johnson

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 19: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a rushing touchdown by Brian Robinson Jr. #24 in the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 19: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a rushing touchdown by Brian Robinson Jr. #24 in the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 02: Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks passes during the first half against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 02: Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks passes during the first half against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2. Justin Herbert, Oregon – Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals benched Andy Dalton on his birthday; that tells you everything you need to know about Dalton’s time as the quarterback. Ryan Finley will get the opportunity to prove he’s the guy of the future. However, a quarterback with higher upside, better tools and who’s an ideal fit for Zac Taylor’s offense will be available for the Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Taylor’s offense works with an athletic quarterback that can work off play-action — Justin Herbert is that guy. The 6-6, nearly 240-pound quarterback has tools, upside and a resume that shows his growth. Had Herbert opted to come out last season, he would have likely gone inside the top 10.

Returning to college was beneficial. Through eight games, Herbert had a career-high in completion percentage (68) with 21 touchdowns to just one interception. Against USC he put on a clinic, showing his ability to persevere after a rocky start, finishing with three touchdowns.

Herbert has a cannon for an arm, which would allow Taylor to open up his playbook and take shots downfield. When you have a player with 4.2 speed like John Ross, a quarterback with Herbert’s arm is scary. A big body like the 6-5, 230-pound Auden Tate has the size and skill set of a player Herbert utilizes at Oregon, Juwan Johnson.

It also doesn’t hurt that Herbert has deceptive quickness and speed to threaten with his legs. Since their offensive line is suspect, he’ll mask some of the Bengals other deficiencies. All told, he’d be the right new direction for Cincinnati to go in at quarterback.

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