Nate

Herbig

The report comes from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac. Herbig’s injury elevates second-round rookie Zach Frazier to the starting role. Among 39 Power Five centers with at least 800 offensive snaps last year, Frazier ranks top 12 in both pass protection (83.8 PFF pass-blocking grade) and run blocking (74.8 PFF run-blocking grade) per PFF.

The deal contains $4 million in guarantees. Herbig will provide depth along the Pittsburgh line, but this isn’t exactly a contract that screams “we have a new starter.” Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl was with Herbig in Philadelphia and Mike Garafolo reports he “believes in [Herbig] as a starter,” so it’s possible he does play a big role in Pittsburgh in 2023.

Herbig was questionable with an ankle injury. Either Dan Feeney or Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will take Herbig’s place at right guard.

Herbig was originally tendered as a restricted free agent in Philly, but the Eagles ended up cutting him loose before he could sign. He was no longer in their plans following the draft. Heading into his age-28 campaign, Herbig has 17 games of starting experience. That is his lone calling card, but that is better than most fringe roster types. He could easily make the rebuilding Jets’ 53-man roster.

Herbig has played passably as a reserve guard for the past couple of years, compiling average PFF grades. He blew only 16 blocks in 12 starts in 2020 per Sports Info Solutions. He’ll again be a fallback option inside for the Eagles in 2022 before becoming a free agent in 2023.

Herbig (6’4/335) turned pro as a true junior after starting for 2 ½ years on the Cardinal offensive line, seeing action at both guard spots as well as right tackle and earning second-team All-Pac 12 in 2018. A thickly-built native of Hawaii, Herbig bombed the Combine with fifth-percentile athletic results. Herbig offers NFL-level size and plus versatility, but most scouts were surprised he declared early. At best, he looks like a multi-year project at guard.

Herbig (6’4/335) turned pro as a true junior after starting for 2 ½ years on the Cardinal offensive line, seeing action at both guard spots as well as right tackle and earning second-team All-Pac 12 in 2018. A thickly-built native of Hawaii, Herbig bombed the Combine with fifth-percentile athletic results. Herbig offers NFL-level size and plus versatility, but most scouts were surprised he declared early. At best, he looks like a multi-year project at guard.

Herbig (6'4/334) entered the draft as a junior after receiving second-team All-Pac-12 honors, but this scout argues that his 2017 season was better. Weight has been a problem for Herbig, but that is something that can be fixed in the pros. In fact, the scout said that Herbig “has a chance to be a solid pro” if he can regain his 2017 form. There hasn’t been any buzz surrounding Herbig at this point in the draft season, so expect Herbig to enter the league as a depth option only.

Herbig (6'4/334) received second-team All-Pac-12 recognition for his work on the line this season. He was an all-conference first-team performer a year ago. While Bryce Love has received all kinds of flak for his 2018 output, at least some of that blame lies at the feet of what’s been an underwhelming offensive line. Whether any of this shows out on film or in evaluation will be interesting to monitor over the coming months. Former NFL scout Dave Shonka, for one, has his doubts over Herbig’s readiness for the pro ranks, noting that he is “a big man who doesn’t play big” while questioning the Stanford product’s contact balance.

Herbig will draw the start at right guard, but the Cardinal will slide Hamilton in as well. It’s an interesting move since Hamilton is a lengthy offensive tackle (6'7/287) while Herbig has the more typical guard body (6'4/334). Stanford has always been an offensive line West Coast power, so we trust their judgement with this decision.