With The First Pick
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Chargers: 3 biggest challenges Justin Herbert faces in 2020

By Surae Poole

TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks warms up before the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks warms up before the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 from Oregon of the South Team on a pass play during the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The Noth Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 from Oregon of the South Team on a pass play during the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The Noth Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Going Through Progressions

Understanding and reading an NFL defense is no easy task, especially for young rookie quarterbacks. At Oregon, Herbert played in an offense that didn’t ask him to scan all levels off the field and assess the defense. You saw a lot of quick game throws, screen passes, and bubbles and go routes. He typically had one or two reads on most of his passing plays. That’s not a knock-on Justin Herbert but that’s just the reality of the situation.

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He struggles mightily when his first read isn’t available. He tends to stare down his first reads which leads to missing open receivers or telegraphing his throws. When he’s able to go through his progressions and get to his second or third read, he will tuck it and run instead of trusting his arm and making the throw. Being late on his reads has led to him making a throw or two per game that makes you want to turn the film off.

For the most part he was safe with the football, but the complexity of the Chargers could be an issue early on in his career. If the staff is smart, they won’t throw the entire playbook at Herbert and ask him to do things that he struggles with. They should work around his strengths and bring him along slowly.

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