Top 2019 Quarterbacks: Justin Herbert, and Then Every One Else
By Alex Weber
Footballs were flying all over the field during this past weekend’s slate of games. Most of the top quarterbacks that NFL scouts have their eyes one were once again in action, including our very own Justin Herbert. While some guys put up their usual gaudy passing numbers, others faltered against more troubling defenses. See how the top 5 stack up after Saturday’s action down below.
Stats via ESPN
1. Justin Herbert (Oregon)
Stats: 18/32 for 202 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Justin was phenomenal once again in a big game for the Oregon Ducks. The good news? He’ll get another opportunity as he heads to Pullman (truly a place like no other) this week for a College Gameday Matchup with newly ranked Washington State. However, this week he struggled a bit at times, and barely completed 50% of his passes. I’m not worried though, because that touchdown pass at the end of the first half was absolutely brilliant. Only a handful of guys in the country — college or pro — are capable of that sorcery. He still looks the most professional out of everyone in the class, and I think it will be a trade war the likes of which we haven’t seen since the Boston Tea Party between franchises attempting to ensnare him from one another.
2. Kyler Murray (Oklahoma)
Stats: Bye
Screw it, I love Kyler Murray. I think he is the second best quarterback in this class. Sue me. He may be 5’11, but guess what? He is the most dynamic quarterback in the country. He is so naturally gifted and has Lamar Jackson-esque ad-libbed playmaking ability. He may not even be a quarterback in the NFL, but he’s so damn talented that there’s no way there isn’t a place for him somewhere. I love watching this dude and I’m ranking him second. Call me bold, a dumbass, whatever, but I’m the King of these rankings and here’s my proclamation: KYLER MURRAY IS REALLY REALLY GOOD AT FOOTBALL!
3. Drew Lock (Missouri)
Stats: 13/26 for 142 yards, 1 TD, 2 TD
I’m having a bit of a revolution here on the QB rankings this week. It’s like I imagine the second coming, but with me as the quarterback Jesus dishing out my takes. And in my evaluation renaissance, I’ve decided to move Lock up. To be clear: it wasn’t because he was astounding this week. In fact, he had his worst outing of the year…against Alabama. So that’s understandable. Drew is third because of what others think–others far smarter than I. I reviewed several different Mock drafts and found that 1.) I’m right about Herbert as the top dog by a lot, and 2.) Lock is the consensus second guy. He can throw the ball as far as anyone in the class, and he habitually puts up huge numbers in the SEC — by no means an easy task. Congrats on the rise, Drew.
4. Will Grier (West Virginia)
Stats: 11/15 for 100 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Gulp. Well…Willy wasn’t too good this past weekend was he. A meager 15 pass attempts for an even meager-er 100 yards isn’t the ideal outing for the Mullet-ed Mountaineer’s draft stock. I’m gonna give him a bit of a break though, because Dana Holgorsen deemed it wise to not throw the ball while losing to a crappy, ball-dominant Iowa State team when he has one of the best passing quarterbacks in the country. That’s not on Grier. And can announcers please stop talking about his Instagram-famous brothers? No college football fans give a crap about some hair-gelled social media king when they’re watching good ole American football. Sincerely, Alex.
5. Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State)
Stats: 33/44 for 412 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
This dude puts up such ridiculous numbers that it’d be analytical malpractice to leave him off the list. Honestly, do I think this guys will be a franchise starter for a decade-plus in the League? No, probably not. But he is reliable. Perhaps more than anyone else in football. He doesn’t throw picks and he doesn’t make bad throws. I think his future may just be backing up Marcus Mariota for 8 years. And that’s not a bad career if you ask me.