Chargers News: Fellow 2020 QB Draftee Ranks Higher Than Justin Herbert in Last Half-Decade's Prospect QBs

A recent influx of talent in the NFL can't be told without mentioning just how stacked some of these draft classes have been at the quarterback position.

Among these names in the past five years, current Chargers signal caller ranked as the sixth-best QB prospect ranking behind some interesting names, one of them being a draft classmate.

The 2019 college season was a race between Herbert and Tagovailoa to be the first pick ... until Burrow happened. Herbert dazzled at Oregon with arm strength, field vision and a cool demeanor in the pocket. His biggest knock was a lack of running experience. But in the NFL, Herbert has not only become a top-five pro passer but also stood out as a ball carrier (4.0 yards per carry over his career).

"He's a dog and a leader. And he's made [pre-draft]

Carson Wentz

comparisons look silly," an NFC area scout said.

Herbert has thrown 95 touchdown passes to 35 interceptions over three seasons and is fourth in Total QBR since entering the league (64.1).

(

via Matt Miller, ESPN.com

)

Out of 18 names, Herbert ranked behind USC's Caleb Williams at 1, Clemson standout Trevor Lawrence at 2, LSU champion Joe Burrow at 3, UNC's Drake Maye at 4, and shockingly Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa as the 5th best QB prospect of the last five drafts.

Miami chose the lefty from Tuscaloosa one pick ahead of Herbert after speculation that either of the two would be first overall in the pre-draft process.

A rocky college season from Herbert gave the Dolphins pause, and though the injury history of Tagovailoa was much shakier, the Florida team took him over the former Duck.

Results have varied for both after Wild Card exits in 2022 for both franchises, but we can confidently say that Herbert's been better both in health and with breaking records to start his young career.

Signing a record extension this past season as the Dolphins' QB has had major health questions in the last year, Herbert will hope to continue proving the doubters wrong in 2023 and beyond.