LA Chargers: 3 lessons Justin Herbert must learn from Tyrod Taylor

3. How to utilize his athleticism and move the pocket

Justin Herbert is a really good athlete. While many know him for his rocket arm from Oregon, he is surprisingly quick and mobile for his size. I know that our own Alex Insdorf might love this comparison, but I compare his mobility to that of Carson Wentz.

He is not someone who is going to burn defenses as a run-first running back like Lamar Jackson or RGIII, but he is someone that can extend plays, move the pocket and pick up yards on the ground.

Herbert’s fastest 40-yard dash time was 4.69 (which is so much faster than Rivers’ 5.08) and was actually faster than Wentz (4.77). Taylor, on the other hand, ran a 4.47 and is known for being one of the quickest quarterbacks in the league.

While Taylor is not quite the pure thrower that Herbert is even right away, he is one of the best in the league in moving the pocket, extending plays and knowing when not to force throws and use his legs to pick up first downs.

This is an extremely valuable skill that Taylor can pass down into Herbert, which again, kind of parlays with the previous lesson. This is something that Herbert will get better at the more he knows how to read an NFL defense.

Now, he cannot get too run reliant. Too often do we see young quarterbacks escape at the first sign of pressure instead of maintaining the pocket presence, stepping up, and making the right throw.

However, with the LA Chargers’ offense changing to one that is going to capitalize on athleticism at the quarterback position, it will be important that Hebert knows how to utilize his natural athleticism.