With The First Pick
Fansided

2020 NFL Draft: Week 1 senior prospect preview

By Dan Matney

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks warms up before the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Autzen Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks warms up before the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Autzen Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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EUGENE, OR – OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks passes the ball in the first half of the game at Autzen Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 30-27. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR – OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks passes the ball in the first half of the game at Autzen Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 30-27. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Justin Herbert, Quarterback, Oregon

If you follow college football you’re well aware of Justin Herbert.

The 6-foot-6, 237-pound signal-caller out of Oregon would have been in discussion as the potential number one overall pick in last season’s draft. He will get the same hype this season, although it will be a season-long battle with Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Utah State’s Jordan Love as QB1 for the 2020 class.

It’s easy to get bogged down looking at his regression in completion percentage after steady improvement during his first two seasons, but he has undeniable tools that he’ll get to display against a quality opponent in the Auburn Tigers.

Herbert is a good athlete for the position and can do damage with his feet, and he’s elusive when the pocket when he senses pressure. He isn’t going to make Kyler Murray-like plays evading the rush, but he is a fluid athlete that has already displayed good pocket presence for the position.

He doesn’t panic when his first read isn’t there and he takes time to fully examine the field and place the ball where only his receiver can get it when he has a clean pocket.

From an arm talent standpoint, Herbert has everything you want. He has very good arm strength and puts his throws on a rope at all levels of the field. He flashes really impressive ball placement and anticipation, and he can squeeze it into incredibly tight windows.

Herbert displays accuracy at all levels of the field but he has a tendency to trust his arm a little too much downfield. While he doesn’t routinely make bad decisions and will take what the defense gives him, he has times where his passes get away from him when he has pressure closing in on him.

The matchup against Auburn will provide an excellent opportunity to see how Herbert plays under pressure against one of the fastest, most physical defenses he’ll see this season. He’s protected by one of the best offensive lines in the nation (more on that later), but Auburn knows how to get after the quarterback and can capitalize when they make mistakes.

If Herbert can play mistake-free football and continue to display the same vertical passing ability he did last season, he might elevate both his stock and the Ducks’ playoff chances early in the season.

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