2020 NFL Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year
Grading every rookie from the 2020 NFL Draft: 6. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
2020 stats:
- 4,336 passing yards
- 31 TDs
- 10 INTs
- 69.5 quarterback rating
- 98.3 passer rating
Everyone’s jaw dropped the moment Justin Herbert dropped back and flung the football roughly 16 yards to running back Austin Ekeler for his first big play in the league. Everything about the throw was perfect. It wasn’t too early or too late and Ekeler didn’t have to stretch out for it in any way, shape or form. It simply fell right into his breadbasket.
The end result was beside the point. The Los Angeles Chargers won. Not officially, but they found their man. With 311 passing yards and a passer rating of 94.4, Herbert outperformed then, reigning league MVP in Patrick Mahomes.
What was thought to be a disaster as Herbert found out he would be starting just a few minutes before the game, turned out to be a star-making performance.
Over the course of his rookie year, Herbert had plenty of games like the one we just expounded on. Big numbers, eye-catching plays and of course, a loss. None should be pinned on him though. Well, that 45-0 beating they took at the hands of the New England Patriots should, but outside of that, Herbert balled out all season long.
With Herbert nabbing the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, year two could see his numbers jump up considerably.
Grade: A+