2020 NFL Draft: Oregon’s Justin Herbert is quietly still QB1

Herbert’s evaluation outside of his arm

In areas that do not concern his arm, Herbert also thrives when it comes to the mental dexterity, footwork, and mechanic elements of his game as well. While the “prototypical quarterback” is not the mold of the NFL anymore, it would be hard to find a gunslinger at 6-6 and 233 pounds with the pocket presence and throwing motion of Herbert’s.

One area where Herbert is above average, but does not get the credit that Tua, Jalen Hurts, or Jordan Love get is with his legs. Not so much as a runner (although he does have the ability to tuck and run if a play breaks down), but the ability to escape pressure and get outside the pocket. Not only does Herbert have good escapability, but he does not forget his mechanics in the process.

https://twitter.com/ESPNCFB/status/1162348106496827393?s=20

In the video above, Herbert abandons a collapsing pocket, rolls to his left to avoid pressure. However what the Oregon gunslinger does next is most impressive: instead of throwing on the move, does not forget his mechanics as he resets his feet and delivers a strike to the back of the endzone for a Ducks’ score.

Just because he has the escapability to avoid the rush when the pocket collapses does not mean that Herbert struggles with pocket presence. In fact, Herbert thrives in the pocket and has an elite internal timer that lets him know when it is time to get a move on.

As Oregon went head-to-head with Jacob Eason earlier this season and the Ducks came out on top, Herbert made one particular play that stands out among the rest. As seen above, Herbert stands in the pocket as the pressure is starting to encroach; knowing his man is going to find a hole in the zone soon, Herbert stays in the crowded pocket and delivers a strike across the middle without being able to step into the throw as he has defenders around his ankles.