As we now enter what many consider to be the pinnacle of the pre-draft process, college pro days are often the final piece of the puzzle that validates draft positioning. While it’s all but assured that LSU’s Joe Burrow and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa will be the first two quarterbacks selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, there is much uncertainty beyond that. Justin Herbert and Jordan Love will likely be the next two signal-callers to come off the board, but each NFL Draft prospect comes with their own risks. This piece highlights Herbert and Love, who have become two of the 2020 NFL Draft’s most divisive prospects.
Justin Herbert
As decorated as his college career was, Oregon’s Justin Herbert is among the most polarizing first-round talents in recent years. His name shifts up and down mock draft boards seemingly every week, as pundits struggle to gauge his pro potential, and he was perhaps the most scrutinized blue-chip prospect at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Known more for his reserved, quiet demeanor, Herbert’s detractors used this opportunity call his leadership ability into question, while other critics are of the belief that the risk of taking the streaky signal-caller with limited experience operating under center isn’t worth the steep investment of a premium pick. Herbert’s underwhelming performances in big games is another cause for concern, most notably the 2019 Pac-12 Championship against Utah and the Rose Bowl clash with Wisconsin.
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Perhaps Herbert’s biggest test came on the grand stage at Lucas Oil Stadium at the NFL Scouting Combine. With projected top pick Joe Burrow opting not to partake in the workout, and Tua Tagovailoa still not medically cleared from his November hip injury, the spotlight belonged to Herbert. And in the biggest interview of his young life, the 6-foot-6, 237-pound signal-caller delivered.
In addition to running a sub-4.7 in the 40-yard dash, Herbert shined in the on-field portion of the evaluation process. Leading by example, Herbert showed remarkable poise under the bright lights, displaying the immensely strong arm that teams covet and delivering the ball with pinpoint accuracy while establishing a unique rapport with his unfamiliar group of pass-catchers.
He owned the night.
Though he can be inconsistent delivering the ball with touch, erratic with his accuracy, and lock onto his primary target for too long at times, Justin Herbert possesses the requisite tools as an NFL Draft prospect to be a franchise quarterback at the next level. Whether it is his ability to work through his progressions and see the whole field, his lightning-quick release, or having the presence of mind to sidestep pressure and pick up yards with his legs, Herbert is tailor-made for the modern-day, offense-driven NFL.
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Herbert will more than likely be the third quarterback off the board on draft night, with his probable destination being Los Angeles, who own the sixth overall pick. I’m not saying that the transition from Philip Rivers to Herbert will be a seamless one, but the offensive firepower and support system in Los Angeles would set the former Oregon standout up for early success.
Jordan Love
Jordan Love is another first-round prospect that most evaluators are split on. While the former Aggie has been projected as high as the third-best signal-caller by some, others have him tumbling down draft boards for a multitude of reasons.
Much like Herbert, Love has been the beneficiary of a strong pre-draft cycle thus far, most recently turning heads at the NFL Scouting Combine. Love’s accuracy, improved footwork, and sturdy build — 6-foot-4, 224 pounds — left a lasting impression on scouts. The Utah State alum also earned the distinction for having the largest hands among the quarterbacks in attendance: 10.5 inches.
Though he looks the part and has thrived in the spotlight as of late, Love’s inconsistencies are a big reason why teams may be trepid in investing significant draft capital in the 21-year old. In 2018, Love threw for 3,567 yards and 32 touchdowns against just six interceptions. He processed quickly, worked through his progressions, kept his eyes downfield in the face of pressure, and, most importantly, took care of the football.
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Last season, Love amassed 3,402 yards passing, with 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Love’s quarterback rating dropped from 158.3 to 129.1, his completion percentage dipped from 64 percent to 61.9 percent, and his mechanics also took a turn for the worst, as he often tried to force big plays to overcompensate for a lack of weaponry. Adding to his on-field adversity, Love was also tasked with adapting to new head coach Gary Anderson’s system.
While his arm isn’t quite as strong as Herbert’s, Love has the innate intangibles that are sure to entice teams on draft day. The former Aggie is an electrifying quarterback prospect that boasts the awareness and athleticism to improvise on broken plays, much like Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes. His arm is strong enough to make every throw at the next level, and his once-choppy footwork has cleaned up immensely over the past couple of months. He’s demonstrated the pocket presence to stand tall and deliver the football, yet has a keen sense of when to use his legs to pick up yardage.
The distinction between Justin Herbert and Jordan Love as NFL Draft prospects is closer than many realize, and it may ultimately come down to which quarterback teams prefer. I tend to lean towards Jordan Love, as I believe he possesses greater upside and far less uncertainty — which could ultimately be the deciding factor on draft day.