Chargers Select Justin Herbert with No. 6 pick in NFL Draft

A four-year starter with mobility adds another dimension to Justin Herbert's game

Sports Illustrated | Apr 23, 2020

The Los Angeles Chargers selected QB Justin Herbert with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Herbert grew up in Eugene, Oregon, and played football, baseball, and basketball at Sheldon High School. He put up 3,130 passing yards (37 TD) plus 543 rushing yards (10 TD) during his senior season, Herbert was named 2015 Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Growing up close to Autzen Stadium, home of the Ducks, Herbert committed to Oregon in 2015.

Making an immediate impact during his first season in 2016, Herbert was the first true freshman quarterback to start for Oregon since 1983. He put up 10,541 passing yards, 95 TD and 23 INT during 43 games over four seasons at Oregon. An accurate passer with powerful arm strength, Herbert can stretch the field with deep throws and fit the ball into tight spaces.

During his final start as a Duck, Herbert displayed his scrambling ability as he posted three rushing touchdowns and helped Oregon defeat Wisconsin 28-27 in the 2020 Rose Bowl. Herbert has fantastic size (6-foot-6, 237 pounds), arm strength and mobility that NFL teams desire. He showed out well at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.69 time in the 40-yard dash and a 35.5-inch vertical jump.

Here’s why SI’s Kevin Hanson ranked Herbert as the No. 20 overall player on his big board:

A four-year starter, the ball really jumps out of Herbert’s hand and his plus mobility adds another dimension to his game. While he hasn’t shown the consistency you’d expect from a potential top-five pick, Herbert has as much pure arm talent as any quarterback in the 2020 draft class and is highly intelligent. In 2019 Herbert won the Campbell Trophy for the best combination of on-field performance, academics and community service.

2019 stats (Senior; Oregon): 3,471 pass yards, 32 TD, 6 INT, 50 rush yards, 4 TD (8 games)

2018 stats (Junior; Oregon): 3,151 pass yards, 29 TD, 8 INT, 166 rush yards, 2 TD (8 games)

2017 stats (Sophomore; Oregon): 1,983 pass yards, 15 TD, 5 INT, 183 rush yards, 5 TD (13 games)

2016 stats (Freshman; Oregon): 1,936 pass yards, 19 TD, 4 INT, 161 rush yards, 2 TD (14 games)

Stick with SI.com throughout the weekend for in-depth coverage of the 2020 NFL Draft, including the impact of prominent rookies joining new teams, team-by-team breakdowns, fantasy football and gambling reactions, draft grades and so much more.

NFL Draft Exclusives: Sign up for Sports Illustrated’s newsletters and get the latest NFL Draft coverage, analysis and highlights - delivered right to your inbox.

Latest NFL Draft Coverage from Sports Illustrated

Published Apr 23, 2020