After Miami selected Tua Tungovailoa with the pick before them, the Chargers went with the next best quarterback in Justin Herbert. The Oregon QB impressed during his senior year of college and is the obvious future of the franchise for LA.
By taking Herbert, the Chargers are hoping to start the post-Rivers era with a fresh look. Tyrod Taylor is still on the roster, but it’s hard to see him keeping the starting job after LA spent the 6th overall pick on Justin.
So what can Bolt fans expect from their new signal-caller? Let’s take a look.
A big body with a rocket arm
The thing that instantly stands out about Herbert is his size. At 6’6″, he has incredible size for a quarterback, and that has played to his advantage throughout college. This should continue in the NFL as you can’t teach size, but he is much more than that. Herbert’s arm talent is just as impressive, as he can make any throw in any part of the field. He’s shown the ability to throw the deep ball and lead defenders to their spot, which can be dangerous as well. With some coaching and development, Herbert should flourish in this league for the Chargers. Overall, he has the physical makings of a franchise quarterback.
A mobile quarterback
With his impressive size, you would think that Herbert would lack the foot speed and awareness to be considered mobile. Nothing could be further from the truth. Herbert has shown bursts of speed and the ability to break out of the pocket and scramble when necessary. He has the awareness to know when to let the ball fly versus when to take advantage of a hole in the defense. This should play perfectly in Lynn’s style of offense and should lead to some early success for the young quarterback.
A poised leader
The one trait that you want in a quarterback is the ability to inspire a group. While he is far from an outspoken player, he leads by example. Coaches and teammates alike have spoken to how he never takes a day off and works harder than anyone. These are traits that should make him a hit in a veteran Charger’s locker room as he works to earn the respect of his new teammates. Odds are he learns to find his voice as his young career grows, but the work ethic is a great thing to see in a number 6 pick.
Final Thoughts
It will be interesting to see if the Chargers will play or sit Herbert to start the new season, as you could make the argument in either case. Regardless, they are getting a fantastic talent in Herbert. As they begin a new chapter at SoFi Stadium, the team has a new energy that is palpable to Chargers fans. The future looks bright for LA.
