Will Hernandez has likely played his final snap in a New York Giants uniform, after never managing to live up to his status as a second-round NFL Draft pick
Will Hernandez was knocked from Sunday’s season finale against the Washington Football Team with an ankle injury, in all likelihood marking the end of the former second-round pick’s time with the New York Giants.
Hernandez, chosen No. 37 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, never quite lived up to his draft status.
This season, one of Hernandez’s most inconsistent as a pro, the UTEP alum allowed seven sacks and 36 quarterback pressures.
As the Giants’ new general manager aims to find potentially four new starters along the offensive line, Hernandez has shown very little to indicate he should even be in the conversation.
Here’s a look at five players who could be viable replacements for Hernandez, for the New York Giants, who have just $2.7 million in cap space, but a pair of top-10 NFL Draft picks this offseason:
1) Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
Green is one of the premier interior offensive linemen in the 2022 NFL Draft class, and could be on the board for one of the New York Giants’ first-round picks.
Rebuilding the line, including mining a right tackle to pair with Andrew Thomas, must be an organizational priority for the Giants this offseason. But, so too must be upgrading the interior.
Green, 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds, produced a 75 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2020, which could give him the potential to develop into a cornerstone player along the New York Giants’ offensive line.
2) Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
If the New York Giants still have designs on being a power-running team, Kinnard has the size and strength to be an anchor along the interior.
At 6-foot-5 and 344 pounds, Kinnard has the size and experience at offensive tackle to make him a versatile option along New York’s offensive line. His versatility could also make him a nice fit in the screen game.
This past season, Kinnard produced an 85 grade in both run-blocking and pass protection, from Pro Football Focus. That’s the kind of production and consistency along the offensive line that the New York Giants have largely lacked for decades. And he had that dominant season in the SEC.
3) Ben Bredeson, New York Giants
It’s impossible to rebuild a roster in an entire season, and even more difficult than that to do when a front office has less than $3 million in cap space.
Bredeson might have been inconsistent this season, but if New York is able to only add one starting-caliber offensive lineman this offseason, he may be able to be a one-year stopgap.
This season, his first with the New York Giants, Bredeson only allowed one sack in 155 pass-protection snaps, and was awarded a 79.4 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, among the Giants’ highest-graded linemen.
4) Logan Bruss, Wisconsin
Logan Bruss is a mid-round prospect who should absolutely be on the New York Giants’ radar, especially with Hernandez having likely played his final snap in East Rutherford.
Bruss did not allow a sack, according to Pro Football Focus, this season, despite at times lining up against some of the Big Ten’s premier pass rushers.
If nothing else, Bruss is the kind of player who can provide quality depth along the interior of the offensive line and perhaps even push for a starting job.
5) Ryan Bates, Buffalo Bills
As mentioned above, with only approximately $2.7 million in cap space this offseason, shopping at the top of the free-agent market isn’t feasible for the New York Giants, and if the organization is aiming to maintain future spending flexibility while building a young core, it isn’t advisable.
But, if the New York Giants are aiming for a versatile veteran to replace Hernandez, Buffalo Bills guard and impending unrestricted free agent Ryan Bates might be an affordable option.
Bates, 24, appeared in 212 offensive snaps for the Bills this season and did not allow a sack. That kind of dependability is something the New York Giants have sorely lacked.
A former center at Penn State, Bates offers versatility having spent time at all three interior line spots this season for Buffalo. Bates will likely be a free agent name to watch for the New York Giants.