New York Giants: Will Hernandez the perfect pick in Round 2
The New York Giants selected running back Saquon Barkley in Round 1. In Round 2, the Giants hit another home run with guard Will Hernandez.
It hasn’t taken long for general manager Dave Gettleman to make a concerted effort to improve what has long been a dreadful offense. Following yet another season of Odell Beckham Jr. or bust, the New York Giants selected running back Saquon Barkley at No. 2 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
With the second selection in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Giants made the perfect pick to help usher in the new era.
New York’s offseason has been geared towards improving in areas that have long been problematic. That includes the lucrative contract it handed to left tackle Nate Solder, who projects to be an upgrade over the perpetually unreliable Ereck Flowers.
In the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Giants took another significant step towards solidifying the offensive line by selecting UTEP Miners guard Will Hernandez.
Hernandez may be from a small school, but he’s a big-time prospect with a world of potential.
🔸Congrats to @willhernandez76 on being the fourth-highest #Miner to be drafted in program history! #NFLDraft@Giants you got a good one! 💪🏼⛏
— UTEP Football (@UTEPFB) April 27, 2018
Round 2 | Pick 2 | Overall 34 pic.twitter.com/1i7B8fI8tq
If the Giants are planning to become a more well-rounded offense, then legitimizing the offensive line is as wise an approach as any.
Selecting Barkley in the first round and signing Solder in free agency represented progress. Jerry Reese made a number of solid decisions, but his borderline refusal to upgrade the running game or offensive line continuously held New York back.
New York hasn’t produced a 1,000-yard rusher since 2012, nor a player who recorded at least 10 rushing touchdowns in a single season since 2008.
Will Hernandez is one of my favorite players in this draft. Unbelievable value at this point. Will be @saquon and Eli's best friend. Plug him in for the next decade. #nfldraft
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 27, 2018
By selecting Hernandez, the Giants have acquired a guard who could help Barkley end both of those droughts as soon as 2018.
Hernandez is undersized for a guard, but he has a low center of gravity and a powerful 327-pound frame. He showcased his power with 37 reps in the bench press at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, and ranked in the 81st percentile in the 40-yard dash and the 78th percentile in the three-cone drill.
In other words: Hernandez has the power, strength, and leverage to take on linemen and linebackers alike, as well as the speed to thrive in a zone blocking scheme.
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Simply put: Saquon Barkley’s job with the New York Giants just got significantly easier with Will Hernandez lining up at guard.