2020 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Combine mock with Redskins trading down

Philip Rivers and the Chargers have virtually confirmed that they are going to part ways. The Chargers may be in on some of the free-agent quarterbacks that are available — and they may particularly have their eye on Tom Brady, as they look to attract new fans in L.A. — but it’s hard to see them landing a big-name that will be a sure-fire franchise quarterback for them.

Enter Justin Herbert. The Oregon product has spent four years in school and has the prototypical size that teams look for in quarterbacks. He’s mobile, has a very good arm, and is pretty accurate. He seems to be trending toward being a top-10 pick and the Chargers seem to like him, so it could be a match made in heaven.

Herbert did well at Oregon and consistently kept the Ducks in the College Football Playoff hunt. They never made it there during his four years as a starter, but they came close in 2019. And that season saw Herbert complete 66.8 percent of his passes for 3,471 yards, 32 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

All around, that’s a very solid line. And it accurately depicts Herbert’s potential for the next level.

Herbert has a very high ceiling thanks to his prototypical frame, arm strength, and arm talent. At the very least, he seems like he will be a solid starter. The question is whether or not he will continue to develop and become a true leader. He had some trouble fading in bigger moments at Oregon, and that’s part of why they never made the CFP while he was there. That doesn’t entirely fall on him, but it’s still notable, as he did lose some winnable games.

Will that change at the NFL level? It remains to be seen. But no matter what, Herbert’s skills should make him a competitive starter and he should be a good fit in Los Angeles. It may behoove him to spend some time behind a veteran before he gets the starting job. The Chargers could sign Jameis Winston or someone of that ilk to compete with him.