LA Chargers: NFL personnel rank Justin Herbert as a top-10 quarterback

Justin Herbert is coming off of the best rookie season for a quarterback in NFL history and is looking to make a splash in year two with the LA Chargers. It has not taken Herbert long to climb the quarterback ladder, as he is already considered one of the best in the league.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler surveyed 50 league executives, coaches, scouts and players to rank the top 10 players at each position. On Monday, Fowler released the top-10 list for quarterbacks (ESPN+ subscription required) and Herbert made an appearance.

Justin Herbert ranked ninth in the top-10 list, beating out Kyler Murray, who was ranked 10th. Deshaun Watson was not included in the list, but even if he was, Herbert would have solidified his place in the top 10 in the eyes of the league.

These are the opinions that really matter. These are the people that see Justin Herbert up close and personal and while we all love to complain about how low Pro Football Focus ranks Herbert because they were so wrong about him, the league obviously sees Herbert in a much more positive light.

Is Justin Herbert’s ranking fair? Should the LA Chargers quarterback be higher?

While most Charger fans would pound the table and argue that Justin Herbert is a top-five quarterback, this ranking is more than fair. You could definitely make the case that Herbert is top-five talent-wise and that will bear out this season. If he is then he will play as such and jump up this list next summer.

However, after just one year it is fair to place him ninth. Back in January, the Bolt Beat staff collectively ranked all 32 starting quarterbacks from the 2020 season and Herbert ranked seventh, so we are right in the same ballpark.

The ninth ranking is fair, although there was at least one questionable ranking. Fowler included the highest-ranking that every player received as low as the lowest ranking. The highest rank Herbert earned was third, which is exceptional. However, at least one person also left him out of the top-10 altogether, which we obviously disagree with.

Regardless of where Justin Herbert ranks, his performance in 2021 is going to solidify his place in the league. As far as we are concerned, he is going to prove in his sophomore season that his rookie season was no accident; it was the start of what is going to be a very successful career with the LA Chargers.