Joe Burrow, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has led the Bengals to the Super Bowl. Jalen Hurts, taken in the second round, has won a ring wit the Eagles. Jordan Love has continued the line strong Packers starter as a late first-rounder.
But what about the two quarterbacks selected back-to-back at No. 5 and No. 6 in between them, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert. Although Tagovailoa has tantalized for the Dolphins and Herbert has flashed plenty or the Chargers, there's still debate five-plus years later on what was the better selection.
'When the Dolphins host the Chargers Sunday in Week 6 of the 2025 season, Herbert will be trying to tie the head-to-head matchups at 2-2 on the road. When considering the inconsistent history of both QBs, it's difficult to tell who's been the better draft pick at the position.
From stats to how much they are getting paid, here's a calculated Tagovailoa vs. Herbert take:
MORE: Where Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa rank among highest-paid QBs
Tua Tagovailoa vs. Justin Herbert stats
Herbert has been healthier to start more games over his first six seasons in the NFL. The statistics shown are through Week 5 of the 2025 season, before their head-to-head showdown in Miami in Week 6:
| Quarterback stat | Tagovailoa | Herbert |
| Games played | 69 | 84 |
| Yards per game | 239.3 | 265.7 |
| Completion percentage | 68.3 | 66.4 |
| Yards per attempt | 7.6 | 7.2 |
| Touchdowns | 110 | 145 |
| Interceptions | 48 | 49 |
| Passer rating | 98.1 | 96.4 |
Based on the "best ability" being availability, Herbert would be the easy winner. He's avoided big injuries. He's also been more prolific but less efficient passing. Herbert, however, has never led the league in a key passing category.
In 2022, Tagovailoa led the league with 8.9 yards per attempt. In 2023, he had the most passing yardage with 4,624. in 2024, he had the highest completion percentage, 72.9.
Tagovailoa has had two offensive play-callers, Chan Gailey for one season and coach Mike McDaniel for four. Herbert is on his fourth, with Greg Roman following Shane Steichen, Joe Lombardi and Kellen Moore. Herbert has cut through more schematic and offensive support concerns in Los Angeles, including injuries to skill players and key linemen.
Otherwise, when looking at rushing, air yards and other peripheral stats, there's not much separating Herbert and Tagovailoa.
MORE: What to know about Tua Tagovailoa's family, background
Tua Tagovailoa vs. Justin Herbert record
Quarterback winning is not a true stat, but it's also an indication of how much he contributes to making the team better.
Tagovailoa has started his career 39-28-0, a solid mark when healthy and starting. He stands 0-1 in the playoffs, a wild-card struggle against the Chiefs' defense after the 2023 season.
Herbert has teetered around .500, now at 44-40 in the middle of Year 2 under Jim Harbaugh. He is 0-2 in the playoffs. Herbert didn't play well in a wild-card thriller vs. Trevor Lawrence's Jaguars after the '22 season, as the Chargers blew a 27-0 lead and lost 31-30. Last year's wild-card loss against the Texans was a lot worse for Herbert, when he melted down with four interceptions in a 32-12 blowout by host Houston.
Tagovailoa has been more successful with his team, but there's an indication that Herbert and the Chargers will be a more consistent playoff team under Harbaugh going forward. Tagovailoa is headed to having a new head coach and offensive system soon with McDaniel on the hottest of seats.
MORE: Everything to know about Justin Herbert's family tree
Tua Tagovailoa vs. Justin Herbert contracts
With the battle between the two 2020 first-round QBs rather tight, it's time to bring in the money to see who's been the better bang for the buck:
| Contract details | Tagovailoa | Herbert |
| Length of deal | 4 years (from 2024) | 5 years (from 2023) |
| Total value | $212.4 million | $262 million |
| Average annual salary | $53.1 million | $52.5 million |
| Guaranteed at signing | $93.171 million | $133.738 million |
| Total guaranteed | $167.171 million | $218.738 million |
Despite Tua going one pick earlier than Herbert, he waited one more year to get his second contract after the Dolphins made the initial decision not to pick up his fifth-year option. He also ended up with a chunk of less money over fewer years, tied to concerns about his durability with the Dolphins.
Herbert is working to return to his high level of play from his stellar rookie season as he's been up and down since. Tagovailoa might have the edge with numbers, but the eye test for the present and future says Herbert has emerged as the better QB in 2025 to live up to his contract.