Joel Klatt: “If I were making the decisions, I would not draft Justin Herbert in the first round… Skillsets don’t necessarily equate to success in the National Football League. The bottom line in this league is that you have to throw the ball on time and on target, and most of the time those are anticipatory throws --- which were the biggest area of struggle that Herbert has. He is a blunt force instrument; he is not surgical. He makes the wrong decisions quite often but he gets away with it at the college level because he’s got such a talented arm. I don’t think he’s going to be afforded that opportunity when he gets to the NFL… I want guys who make much better decisions and ‘pass’ the football, rather than ‘throw’ the football. Here’s the difference -- there are guys out there who are such talented throwers of the football, and that’s all well and good. They hypnotize people like you [talking to Colin Cowherd], but I want people who PASS the football, and know how to attack the defense, anticipate throws, and pass the football with a great amount of efficiency.” (Full Video Above)
Listen to Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt explain to Colin Cowherd why he wouldn’t take Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, despite some pundits believing that Herbert could go potentially leap all the way into the top 5.
Although Klatt acknowledges that Herbert is an elite arm talent and the type of player who would woo scouts at Pro Day or the NFL Combine, Klatt says Herbert’s decision-making skills are extremely adequate, and says he will not get away with his questionable awareness in the pros.
Check out the full rant above.