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2018 NFL Draft: Guard Will Hernandez could be a first round pick

By Shane Lunnen

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: UTEP offensive lineman Will Hernandez speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: UTEP offensive lineman Will Hernandez speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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UTEP’s Will Hernandez is one of the top players in the 2018 NFL Draft and many have not even heard of him. That is about to change.

More: 2018 NFL Draft preview, player profiles and latest mock drafts

It is not too often an offensive guard is highly sought after in the NFL draft, however when there is one available as good as Will Hernandez, teams notice. Because UTEP is a Group of Five school and not a traditional power, Hernandez does not have immediate name recognition. But he is sure to garner attention at the next level.

Hernandez will be forever known by UTEP fans. He took a redshirt his freshman year in 2013, but started in all 49 games at left guard from 2014 through the 2017 season. In 27 of his 49 starts, the UTEP offensive line allowed no sacks and Hernandez was a big reason for it. He earned multiple first team all Conference USA accolades and all second team honors from the AP in his four seasons.

Strengths

Hernandez is strong and plays aggressively on the field. Defensive linemen and linebackers will find it difficult to rush Hernandez and just move him out of the way. Hernandez is excellent at run blocking and has great balance when pulling. This is not to say he is not good in pass protection, but he is especially good at blocking run schemes.

Hernandez had a great NFL combine, improving his draft stock. He posted 37 reps on the 225 pound bench press, more than any other offensive lineman. He also was fortunate to be coached at UTEP by a man with an NFL pedigree. Sean Kugler was a longtime NFL offensive line coach when he took the head coaching job at UTEP in 2013. He now is back in the NFL coaching Denver’s offensive line.

Weaknesses

There is not much on paper suggesting Hernandez will be a bust at the next level. He is somewhat undersized at 348 pounds, however at guard the smaller weight should not be a problem. Only if a team decided to try him at tackle would he need to gain some weight.

Another drawback for Hernandez is the competition level he faced in college. UTEP faced mostly Group of Five and FCS schools. Despite dominating the lower level competition, some teams could be skeptical of it. However there have been plenty of solid NFL linemen to come from smaller schools so it should not be too much of a negative for him.

Draft Expectations

Hernandez presents the total package for a team looking to beef up their interior line. He is strong and quite immovable once he has his hands on a defender. Guards usually do not go high in the draft. They do not anchor lines like centers or protect a quarterbacks’ blindside like tackles. However he is perhaps the best guard in the draft and is expected to go early.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Complete 7-Round projections

When Hernandez is drafted, it certainly sounds like he will spend his money well. From this article in the Sporting News, Hernandez wants to make a toilet his first purchase. If he can have some Pro Bowl caliber years at the next level, Hernandez will be able to buy a lot more than toilets.

Projection: Late first round, early second round

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