2020 NFL Draft: Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert scouting report
By Ian Higgins
With the best arm in the 2020 NFL Draft, Justin Herbert has the highest ceiling of all quarterbacks in this year’s class, but can he utilize it on the big stage?
Through four games against legitimate FBS competition, 2020 NFL draft prospect and Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert has put up a variety of performances against varying levels of opposition. These performances, as well as a solidified reputation as one of the best arm talents in college football, has made him into a top choice for the 2020 NFL Draft.
Over the course of four games against Auburn, Stanford, Cal and Washington, Herbert has posted a 68.9 percent completion rate, 995 yards (249 yds per game), nine touchdowns and only one interception. Herbert has also taken eight sacks (four against Stanford and three against Auburn) and posted a pedestrian average QBR of 76.7, ranging all the way from 90.8 (vs. Washington) to 62.4 (vs. Cal).
Herbert has proven to be one of the best arm talents in college football, but these varying performances have put a damper on his draft stock that many front offices can not find a way around. Herbert has shown promise in all three major areas for a quarterback, but still has flaws to fix and areas to improve upon throughout the remainder of this season and into his rookie year.
The three areas covered in this 2020 NFL Draft scouting report will be the same as those for the scouting reports of Jalen Hurts (Hurts scouting report), Joe Burrow (Burrow scouting report) and Tua Tagovailoa (Tagovailoa scouting report):
- Mental: Ability to make reads, pocket presence, and awareness. This category judges the ability for a quarterback to manage the game and make the right decisions while keeping cool under pressure.
- Physical: Athleticism outside of the throwing arm. This will revolve around mobility, physical presence (within and outside the pocket), as well as any other outstanding attributes that become apparent.
- Arm Talent: Any and everything involved with the delivery of the football, primarily dealing with mechanics and tendencies throwing the football.