In the coronavirus-altered 2020 NFL landscape, teams are setting up video conferences with prospects. Two AFC West teams have scheduled chats with Justin Herbert.
The Chargers have spoken with the former Oregon quarterback, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that the Raiders have a FaceTime session set up with the coveted passing prospect on Monday. Teams can speak with a player for up to an hour three times a week leading up to the draft.
With limitations on how many video-chat sessions teams can conduct with prospects looser than the NFL’s usual 30-visit maximum, expect plenty of news to circulate about the top draft-eligible players’ virtual meetings. Herbert has been viewed as a top-10 player for years could require a trade-up past the Dolphins at No. 5. He has been mentioned as a Chargers target, and the Raiders have not been shy about doing due diligence on quarterbacks during Jon Gruden‘s second tenure with the franchise.
The Bolts have an interesting decision to make this offseason. After losing out on Tom Brady, they are not expected to chase another veteran. That would point to Los Angeles focusing on rookie successors to Philip Rivers with Tyrod Taylor as the bridge. However, both Cam Newton and Jameis Winston are now free agents. With the Chargers moving into a 70,000-seat stadium after a less-than-ideal L.A. introduction in a 30,000-seat venue, the team pursuing Newton would certainly raise its profile.
A Newton signing, however, would be costlier than the Bolts going with a Taylor bridge setup. Taylor has not been a full-time starter since 2017. The Bolts have also curiously added three high-profile 30-something free agents — Chris Harris, Bryan Bulaga, Linval Joseph — and their roster does not give off a rebuilding vibe. Their move at No. 6 overall will be one of the most interesting parts of the draft.
The Raiders signed Marcus Mariota to compete with Derek Carr. This would not prevent Gruden from selecting another quarterback, but Las Vegas would likely have to trade up to land Herbert. The Raiders have picks at No. 12 and No. 18. While Herbert likely will not be the only member of this year’s quarterback class the Raiders are connected to, they may well pop up on the QB-seeking radar before next year’s draft as well given their 2020 circumstances.
How is he different than Blake Bortles? Big, tall, strong armed guy who couldn’t win in college. He was terrible against UW in the Rose Bowl.
To be fair, that was mostly a defensive game for both teams. Neither offense looked good. Herbert found a way to put points on the board with those three rushing touchdowns.
I don’t think u can call him terrible in rose bowl. First of all both teams had very good defenses. Secondly his team won and he made several big time plays to lead. Oregon runs a conservative run first offense. Herbert is a better athlete than given credit for. Is he worthy of 6th pick.?? That above my pay grade but I think he is capable NFL starting Qb
I’m not a Raider fan by any means so why are they giving up on Carr he hasn’t been awful
Carr hasn’t been terrible but he also hasn’t been great. Sure he hasn’t had a great WR corp. for a few years, but he gives up on the majority of plays after 2 seconds and throws the ball out of bounds or to a TE 3 yards away. He’s very expensive for the results he puts up.
How is that on Carr, though? Who’s stretching the field for him to push the ball down the field to? When your best weapons are your TE, RB and slot reciever, that’s really the correct decision most times. When you force it, you become Jameis Winston.
Is it mandatory to report which teams are virtual meeting with their target players to the general public and is their a 3rd party viewing the meeting to be able to report on it?
If this is just due diligence, fine. Trading up for a QB, however, would be a mistake. They’d just saddle a young, inexperienced QB with the same problems they saddled Carr with. To expect a different result is the definition of insanity.
Herbert will go to the Chargers.
He’s big and strong and last year threw about 3500 yards for 32-6 after going 3000 years and 29-8.
Over his 4 years in college Herbert is prove himself as someone who can throw the ball well and gives you a good amount of TDs-INTs. I don’t think he ever going to be a amazing but he will be solid.
Herbert was worse against Arizona State…a must win game. I will puke if chargers take him. TT….let’s roll.