Oregon Football: Justin Herbert is in perfect position with Chargers

Some may have doubts about Oregon football’s Justin Herbert as an NFL-caliber prospect, but there’s no denying that he’s in a good place with the Chargers.

One of the things many analysts point to any time that a quarterback is drafted is the team fit and the supporting cast. Justin Herbert is walking into a situation with the Chargers where both of those things are a big plus for him.

Some teams may take a few years in putting the right supporting cast and around their franchise quarterback. Take the Buffalo Bills for example. When they traded up to take Josh Allen a couple of years ago, their team was not built to take advantage of his strengths. Now, the Bills have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL with a top-notch defense, an improving offensive line and they just traded for star receiver Stefon Diggs.

Herbert is going to Los Angeles where they have a very good all purpose back in Austin Ekeler, two talented wideouts in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, an established tight end in Hunter Henry and one of the best defenses in the NFL. On top of all that, Tyrod Taylor is a solid quarterback to learn behind and Herbert won’t be forced to go out and play before he is ready.

One thing that I was critical of Herbert for during the draft process was his accuracy and staying on his first read for too long. While the latter will have to be improved on coaching and learning, Herbert had a lot of drops from his receivers and did not play with an elite supporting cast at Oregon and that is something that is going to change in LA. Allen and Williams are one of the top duos in the league when they are healthy and the same thing goes for the Henry at tight end.

Herbert is at his best when he is able to push the ball down the field and he will have every opportunity to with this receiving corps. Ekeler is one of the best receiving backs in the league and will be a reliable check-down option for Herbert.

Another aspect that is overlooked is who is the coach when the quarterback is drafted. There are times when a quarterback is drafted and the coach might be on the hot seat and forced to play a young gunslinger when he is not ready and ruin his young career.

That won’t be the case with Herbert.

Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn is an established NFL coach who already has a playoff berth under his belt and is known for getting the most out of his players. Lynn will probably let Taylor be the starter until Herbert is comfortable with the offense and is in rhythm with the receivers, but watch fro Herbert to excel with the Chargers because he is in the best situation possible for a young quarterback.