Name: Will Hernandez
Position: Guard
School: UTEP
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 327
40 dash: 5.15 seconds
Bench: 37 reps
Vertical: 24.0 inches
Broad: 104.0 inches
3-cone: 7.59 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.7 seconds
How he fits: Hernandez was an All-USA Conference performer last season, but it was his play at the Senior Bowl that really turned some heads. Against better competition, he was consistently one of the best performers in one-on-one pass rush drills all week.
View photos of NFL prospect Will Hernandez.
The Lions added veterans Kenny Wiggins and Wesley Johnson in free agency, but general manager Bob Quinn might not be done there. Wiggins and Johnson add good depth, but this is one of the best interior offensive line classes in recent years, led by Hernandez and others. Drafting a player like Hernandez would allow the Lions to slot Graham Glasgow in at center.
For a team like Detroit that is looking to bolster their run game, adding a mauler like Hernandez, who also has light feet for a player his size, could certainly make sense.
Key observations: Hernandez was Pro Football Focus' highest graded guard in 2016.
What they had to say about him: "Four-year starter at left guard and the most highly-decorated offensive linemen in UTEP history. Hernandez possesses a rare combination of power, balance, and athletic ability. He is a plus run blocker with the anchor and footwork to handle himself in pass protection as well. Though he lacks height and length teams would like, it shouldn't hurt his stock much. Hernandez should be able to step in as an immediate starter with a high ceiling." -- Lance Zierlein
How he stacks up: Hernandez is widely considered among the top four interior offensive linemen – Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame), Isaiah Wynn (Georgia), James Daniels (Iowa) & Hernandez – who have a chance to be first-round draft picks.
What he had to say: "I definitely think (the NFL) is starting to value guards and interior linemen more," Hernandez said at Combine. "I've heard it from teams themselves. I think it's starting to even out a little bit between tackle and guard.
"I'm glad, because if (the quarterback) doesn't have nothing to step into, what's the point? I'm glad that we're starting to value centers and guards a lot more."
