The 2019 quarterback class has taken a big hit with Justin Herbert announcing his intention to return for his senior year at Oregon.
Justin Herbert, who was rated by many as the top quarterback in the 2019 class, has announced he will return to the University of Oregon for his senior season.
Herbert becomes one of the first significant players to opt to stay in school rather than entering the 2019 NFL Draft. This news shakes up not only the quarterback class in the 2019 draft but the entire first round as a whole.
Herbert was projected in most mock drafts as a top 10 selection. His decision to stay in school means that some other player, and likely not a quarterback, will find himself being taken earlier in April.
Herbert staying in school dramatically shifts the quarterback market. the crown jewel of the 2019 NFL draft will likely be Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins. Haskins is only a redshirt sophomore, so he will have a big decision of his own. However, most indications have linked Haskins heading to the NFL.
The top overall recruit from 2018 quarterback, Justin Fields, is transferring from the University of Georgia and there have been rumors that Ohio State is a likely destination. Fields potential arrival at Ohio State would be more motivation for Haskins to declare early.
A recent report from ESPN’s Chris Mortensen states that Haskins received a first-round draft grade from the NFL’s college personnel advisory board. It is likely that Dwayne Haskins will be the first quarterback taken in the 2019 NFL Draft, now that Justin Herbert has announced his decision.
The draft stock will also likely rise for Missouri’s Drew Lock. Lock has been projected a mid-late first round selection in most mock drafts and has been ranked the number three quarterback in the class.
Herbert’s decision means that Lock could see a substantial bump in his draft status, as the 2019 quarterback class continues to look very shallow.
Herbert’s decision likely has teams such as the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars, who are looking for franchise quarterbacks, reorganizing their big boards and draft strategies. Teams in need of a quarterback will have to look into Haskins and Lock more closely.
Herbert’s decision is a blow to the 2019 class but, beefs up what is looking to be a possibly historic 2020 quarterback class with Herbert, Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Georgia’s Jake Fromm, and Michigan’s Shea Patterson.