Detroit Lions draft prospect: offensive guard Will Hernandez

The Detroit Lions are looking for an improved run game in 2018. Offensive line with Will Hernandez would help to improve their results on the ground.

The Lions offense was inept running the ball in 2017. They added running back LeGarrette Blount to the roster to shore up their deficiency in power running situations. They have added multiple players to their interior offensive line group as well. Unlike Blount, however, none of those players has has a track record of success at the NFL level. It would not be unreasonable to assume that the Lions will add another player to that position group early in the draft.

If someone were asking me to come up with the best solution for improving the Lions run blocking, selecting Will Hernandez at pick 20 would be that solution. He stands 6’2″ and weighs 348 lbs. Hernandez is not a smooth athlete, but for a man of that size he moves just fine. He has started 37 games at left guard in his college career, and there is absolutely no reason to think he would not immediately start there for the Lions.

The only real holes in Hernandez’s game are technical and minor; or physical and permanent. He is not as efficient in his movement off the snap as would be preferable. He does not always set up before delivering blows, leaving him slightly off balance and reaching. His 32″ arms, however, are always going to be 32″ long. Taller defensive linemen will invariably have the reach advantage.

When Hernandez gets his mitts on a defender however, and he is very good at getting through another player’s reach, the effect is like a 1960s crash test video. The player stops, and is thrown about violently with no air bag for protection. Hernandez has frighteningly quick feet for a man of his size and that gets him to the right place at the right time more often than not.

Unlike a lot of interior defenders Hernandez also understands how to harmlessly ride someone taking his outside gap around a quarterback. He also immediately drops his anchor when they try to bull rush him, or get inside with a second move. That situational awareness speaks well of his potential to replicate his success at the next level where everything gets more complex and faster.

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Will Hernandez is going to be a pro bowler in the NFL. There is not a doubt in my mind. There are fewer than ten players in this draft I am willing to say something that definitively positive about. Three of them are interior offensive linemen. Hwe would be a great selection for the Lions. Bob Quinn apparently does not completely disagree, he met with Hernandez at the Combine.