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Justin Herbert At 40 On The NFL Top 100 Is Disrespectful

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Josh Wiesel | Last updated 8/25/22

The annual NFL Top 100 list usually strikes debates and conversation. Naturally, with an opinion based list, there will be players that people feel are too highly or lowly rated. Everyone loves to get mad at rankings. When looking through the list, one name really caught my eye in the 40th spot. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was placed as the 40th best player in the NFL. An elite quarterback and one of the MVP favorites, this ranking should be way higher.

I find it hard to believe there are 39 players better than Herbert:

He’s better than Herbert?

Here are some of the offensive players ranked ahead of Herbert: (List as of now goes up to Burrow at 21st)

Joe Mixon (Cincinnati Bengals, RB)
DeAndre Hopkins (Arizona Cardinals, WR)
Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens, QB)
Keenan Allen (Los Angeles Chargers, WR)
Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns, RB)
Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens, TE)
Dalvin Cook (Minnesota Vikings, RB)
Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams, QB)
Stefon Diggs (Buffalo Bills, WR)
Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals, WR)
George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers, TE)
Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals, QB)

Here’s a list of offensive players that haven’t been announced yet but will be ahead of Herbert:

Patrick Mahomes
Josh Allen
Aaron Rodgers
Tom Brady
Cooper Kupp
Davante Adams
Travis Kelce
Derrick Henry

There can be a strong case made that Herbert is better and more important than a lot of the players listed above him.

What Are They Missing?

The Chargers quarterback finished last season second in passing yards (5,014) behind Tom Brady (5,316). Herbert and Brady were the only two quarterbacks in the NFL to eclipse the 5,000 passing yard mark last season. He also finished third in passing touchdowns behind Matthew Stafford (41) and Tom Brady (43). Ranking second again behind Brady (486), the Chargers quarterback finished with 443 20+ yard completions.

Herbert also played 15 games his rookie season, and all 17 games last season. In his two years in the NFL, he has thrown for 9,350 yards with 69 touchdown passes. Having the ability to scramble when needed, Herbert has picked up 536 yards on the ground with 8 rushing touchdowns. He also led a Chargers offense that finished fifth in points per game, fourth in yards per game, and third in passing yards per game. Sharp Analysis had the Chargers ranked fourth in offensive efficiency and success for the 2021 NFL season. An elite offensive team thanks to their guy behind center.

Finishing with a 9-8 record last season and narrowly missing the playoffs, Herbert was not the one to blame. If anything, he is the sole reason they were in position to make the playoffs to begin with, further showing his importance and skill among the elite class. Justin Herbert showing durability and early sustainability are things that shouldn’t be taken for granted in the NFL.

*PFF wrote an article back towards the end of last season how Herbert is evolving into the NFL’s most dangerous weapon.

Others Reactions to Herberts Ranking:

I'm sorry but you're not gonna convince me that there's 39 players in the NFL better than Justin Herbert. On a brighter note, the #Chargers are very well represented with 7 players already announced on the NFL top 100, and JC Jackson surely to come. #Boltgang baby! https://t.co/r9DqQPP1Mj

— David Droegemeier (@DrotalkSD) August 23, 2022

wild just looking at the top-100 players in the NFL and seeing Justin Herbert at #40… and then looking at the players above him…

I know it's a popularity contest but still

Trevon Diggs nearly 20 spots higher??!https://t.co/wsk3UkUIj7

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 22, 2022

Would not have guessed that Keenan Allen would finish higher on the top 100 than Derwin James or Justin Herbert, let alone both.

— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) August 21, 2022

NFL Top 100 list butchers it, ranks Joe Burrow far ahead of Justin Herbert https://t.co/Fr7dd8TrJx

— Adam K (@FL_ChargerFan) August 23, 2022

Matthew Stafford was voted 13 spots higher than Justin Herbert in the NFL Top 100. Their numbers are identical. It's the winning that puts Stafford ahead! @scottkaplan pic.twitter.com/J9HpITt1Bk

— Kaplan and Crew (@KaplanandCrew) August 24, 2022

Bottom Line:

Justin Herbert at 40 on the NFL Top 100 list doesn’t feel right. Coming off the incredible season he had in 2021, expectations should only continue to grow. The quarterback position is the most vital, and without Herbert who knows where the Chargers offense would’ve ranked last season. Herbert has the same elite skillset that Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen possess, two guys who will most likely be in the top five of the NFL’s Top 100. Herbert leading the Chargers to one of the AFC’s top seeds and winning MVP would certainly help change the narrative around him not being among the “elite” players in the NFL.

*Click HERE to see all the players that have been announced so far for the NFL Top 100.