Justin Herbert and Jordan Love are considered by most the 3rd and 4th best quarterbacks in the 2020 draft class. When people think of the 2020 draft class, it will be Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa compared as their career goes on, and the same will be with Love and Herbert. So, who will have a better career between Love and Herbert? Let's break it down.
Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert was drafted sixth overall by the Los Angeles Chargers after being a standout with the Oregon Ducks. Herbert looks like the prototypical NFL quarterback that can really air it out deep. He is very accurate with his passes, especially on the short and intermediate throws. He also does a good job putting the ball up high to give only his wide receiver a chance to catch it. There are some downfalls to Herbert's game though, especially when he is under pressure.
The good news for Herbert is he should get a chance to perform well early with the weapons he has around him on the Chargers. His NFL career isn't going to be made in his first couple of years, but getting off to a strong start is going to be a major help. If he struggles early in his career, who knows if he would get a second chance as a starter with a new team.
Jordan Love
The Green Bay Packers shocked a lot of people when they selected former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. Aaron Rodgers doesn't become a free agent until the 2024 season The Packers do have a potential out of his contract after the 2022 season, but they would still have over $17 million in dead cap space.
When Love does get on the field, he does have a lot of positives with his game. Much like Herbert, he has the prototypical look of an NFL quarterback.
Love also does a good job of throwing from different arm slots, something that has caused some analysts to compare him to Patrick Mahomes. Love is a mobile quarterback, but he does a good job of staying in the pocket and keeping his eyes down the field. He also does a good job of throwing the ball outside the pocket, which makes him very hard to defend.
The one big problem with Love is he takes too many chances. At times it looks like he is just playing backyard football throwing the ball up and hoping his wide receiver make the play.
The big question with Love is when will he get the chance to start with the Packers, but it's clear the team hopes he can be the long-term option once Rodgers hangs up the cleats.
So, who will have the better career?
The hope is that Love is going to follow in the footsteps of Rodgers and Brett Favre, but that isn't going to be the case by then. By the time Love even has a chance to get on the field, Herbert is going to already have at least one year starting, and probably two by the time Love gets an opportunity, and even then it's not guaranteed he will as long as Rodgers keeps performing at an elite level.
The YOLO style of Love's game is going to hurt him. The Packers are going to go from a guy in Rodgers who doesn't take a lot of chances to Love, who takes too many chances. Look for Love to struggle to adjust to the NFL once he gets his chance with the Packers.
Herbert might not be a Hall of Famer for the Chargers, but he is going to be a strong player with a good career. Love is going to be a bust, and there is going to be even more heat on the Packers for making him their first selection rather than drafting a weapon for Rodgers and the Green Bay offense.