Hernandez Link To Vikings Will Not Die

We lost one interior lineman, two others are coming off injury...I think G is the way to go based on potential value and need...

Umless I am mistaken, we lost two OL this offseason (Sirles and Berger) and we signed two (Andrews and Compton). Frankly, I don't know if we are better, worse, or the same after that swap. Even if that swap was even, we are probably better at OL now just due to the expected development from Hill, Isidora, and Collins.  

But assuming Newman retires and with Brock gone, what do we have besides Rhodes and Waynes? To be fair, I assume that Mac continues to develop. But who comes in when teams go 4 wide? Sherels? Tocho? A 5th round rookie? Maybe the plan is to sign a veteran FA CB after the draft? I know we were interested in Callahan, but Chicago will simply match any contract we sign him to. Who is left and how much will it cost?

Our roster is such that we do not have a desperate need at any position, so we have lots of flexibility. I won't hate an OL pick in the first, but I think it will depend on what the expected drop off will be in the second at these positions. I think the number of people who can play man coverage is pretty small and they are in big demand. 

I don't know about you guys, but I sure don't want to see Trevor Siemian anywhere but on the sidelines holding a clipboard this season. I'd say in light of the 84 million dollar investment that was just made, it would seem prudent to select an OL with the first pick to protect said investment.
Just ask the Packers how bad it sucks to start a backup for the bulk of the season... 

@"BarrNone55" said: We lost one interior lineman, two others are coming off injury...I think G is the way to go based on potential value and need...

I'm even OK with a center if it comes to that (Ragnow, Daniels, Price). As good as Elflein was on the pivot, I think he can be an even better guard. My problem with Hernandez is that he may not have the athleticism Flip needs to run this "moving" offense. 

@"MarkSP18" said:

@"BarrNone55" said:

Will Hernandez - G - MinersNFL.com Analyst Bucky Brooks believes that UTEP G Will Hernandez could be a "missing" piece for the Vikings. Hernandez is consistently grades as one of the best guards in the class, and if not for the ridiculousness that is Quenton Nelson he might be at the top. "The offensive line was vastly improved last season, but there is still a need for an upgrade at the guard position," writes Brooks. "Hernandez is a mauling run blocker and he's surprisingly nimble in pass protection. His physicality is a perfect fit for a team looking to close out wins with the running game." The only question is whether or not he'll still be around when Minnesota makes their 30th pick, so they may need to trade up to procure his services.

Source: NFL.com Apr 3 - 10:05 PM
I'm not seeing another prospect mocked to the Vikings more than the plus sized G...if you're going to have a dump truck on the line, RG is the place to plop one in... 

I do not think putting hernandez at right guard is a good idea.

http://utepathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=250

Started all 49 games played during career at the left guard position

I would hope they put him right where he has been over his collegiate career.

Moving him is a gamble and a guess.  Like what they did with Fusco.

@"prairieghost" said: I don't know about you guys, but I sure don't want to see Trevor Siemian anywhere but on the sidelines holding a clipboard this season. I'd say in light of the 84 million dollar investment that was just made, it would seem prudent to select an OL with the first pick to protect said investment. Just ask the Packers how bad it sucks to start a backup for the bulk of the season... 

I think the Vikings will be looking at other positions than OG for their #1, but he helped himself immensely at the combine.  His 5.15 40 was as shocking as Vea's and Payne's.  Everybody had him down for a 5.4+, and he blew those estimates out the door.  Some had him cracking a 5.1.

This guy is not a turtle.  He can move.  He may not have been a pulling guard in college, but if the Vikings were to draft him, I see him as an instant starter, they have nobody on the roster that could beat him out.

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"BarrNone55" said: We lost one interior lineman, two others are coming off injury...I think G is the way to go based on potential value and need...

If guard is the best player on the board, I'm on board. But if it's tackle, I go tackle. I guess that means I just agree with what Zimmer said about this. Remmers versatility (if you can call it that) gives us that flexibility. My only caveat is that I tend to think Remmers could be a pretty damn good guard. Not sure he'll ever be a damn good tackle.

I'm even OK with a center if it comes to that (Ragnow, Daniels, Price). As good as Elflein was on the pivot, I think he can be an even better guard. My problem with Hernandez is that he may not have the athleticism Flip needs to run this "moving" offense. 

@"Geoff Nichols", do you think the Vikings need to spend an early pick to get a good man corner or could they develop an insurance plan for Waynes or Alexander with a 3rd-5th round pick? Also, is there any chance they go after a DE or S in the 1st round? I feel like we need another pass rusher in the mix, though maybe that is more of an interior than edge rusher. Also, would Ronnie Harrison be a good safety to pair with Harrison Smith?

We finally had some success along the OL last season and we need to keep the continuity IMO.  Remmers played RT well all season despite early panic on this board.  Then when he was moved to Guard with berger at center and Hill at RT we did not play well at all...so we saw the result of a shuffle.  So why would we want to move Elflein from Center and Remmers from RT?

I do not want to move any of those two when they both played well.  We need a replacement for Berger at Guard ... a day one starter.

@"Tyr" said: @"Geoff Nichols", do you think the Vikings need to spend an early pick to get a good man corner or could they develop an insurance plan for Waynes or Alexander with a 3rd-5th round pick? Also, is there any chance they go after a DE or S in the 1st round? I feel like we need another pass rusher in the mix, though maybe that is more of an interior than edge rusher. Also, would Ronnie Harrison be a good safety to pair with Harrison Smith?

I wouldn't count out DE but the coaching staff has done a better job picking players with traits rather than paying a premium for finished products. Lorenzo Carter would be a unique selection that'd give Zimmer a number of different options. But finding a pass rusher with the traits the Vikings like in the 2nd/3rd rounds makes more sense to me.

EDIT - Oh, and on Ronnie Harrison he'd fit next to Smith in Sendejo's current role. But I think they'd prefer to find a safety who can be more versatile. 

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"MarkSP18" said:

@"BarrNone55" said:

Will Hernandez - G - MinersNFL.com Analyst Bucky Brooks believes that UTEP G Will Hernandez could be a "missing" piece for the Vikings. Hernandez is consistently grades as one of the best guards in the class, and if not for the ridiculousness that is Quenton Nelson he might be at the top. "The offensive line was vastly improved last season, but there is still a need for an upgrade at the guard position," writes Brooks. "Hernandez is a mauling run blocker and he's surprisingly nimble in pass protection. His physicality is a perfect fit for a team looking to close out wins with the running game." The only question is whether or not he'll still be around when Minnesota makes their 30th pick, so they may need to trade up to procure his services.

Source: NFL.com Apr 3 - 10:05 PM
I'm not seeing another prospect mocked to the Vikings more than the plus sized G...if you're going to have a dump truck on the line, RG is the place to plop one in... 

I do not think putting hernandez at right guard is a good idea.

http://utepathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=250

Started all 49 games played during career at the left guard position

I would hope they put him right where he has been over his collegiate career.

Moving him is a gamble and a guess.  Like what they did with Fusco.

What percent of college RT and RG end up in the pros vs what % of college LT and LG end up playing on the opposite side in the pro game?  I dont know either,  but I have to think that teams tend to put their better players on the QBs blind side that the better college linemen played over there as a whole, but at the next level many end up getting moved to the other side as they are not nearly as dominant in a much better talent pool.  I agree that he would likely play sooner at LG,   but will he fit in our scheme as a LG,  or even at all?

After finally getting to watch some Will Hernandez, I no longer think he's an ill fit for the Vikings. Really impressed with how this beast of a man moves. Great trap and 2nd level blocker. A runaway truck on sweeps. 

@"minny65" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"MarkSP18" said:

@"BarrNone55" said:

Will Hernandez - G - MinersNFL.com Analyst Bucky Brooks believes that UTEP G Will Hernandez could be a "missing" piece for the Vikings. Hernandez is consistently grades as one of the best guards in the class, and if not for the ridiculousness that is Quenton Nelson he might be at the top. "The offensive line was vastly improved last season, but there is still a need for an upgrade at the guard position," writes Brooks. "Hernandez is a mauling run blocker and he's surprisingly nimble in pass protection. His physicality is a perfect fit for a team looking to close out wins with the running game." The only question is whether or not he'll still be around when Minnesota makes their 30th pick, so they may need to trade up to procure his services.

Source: NFL.com Apr 3 - 10:05 PM
I'm not seeing another prospect mocked to the Vikings more than the plus sized G...if you're going to have a dump truck on the line, RG is the place to plop one in... 

I do not think putting hernandez at right guard is a good idea.

http://utepathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=250

Started all 49 games played during career at the left guard position

I would hope they put him right where he has been over his collegiate career.

Moving him is a gamble and a guess.  Like what they did with Fusco.

What percent of college RT and RG end up in the pros vs what % of college LT and LG end up playing on the opposite side in the pro game?  I dont know either,  but I have to think that teams tend to put their better players on the QBs blind side that the better college linemen played over there as a whole, but at the next level many end up getting moved to the other side as they are not nearly as dominant in a much better talent pool.  I agree that he would likely play sooner at LG,   but will he fit in our scheme as a LG,  or even at all?

Guru or others,

Do you have an opinion on the above - drafting a guy who has played LG throughout college and projecting him to RG in the Pro's or visa versa???  

@"MaroonBells" said: After finally getting to watch some Will Hernandez, I no longer think he's an ill fit for the Vikings. Really impressed with how this beast of a man moves. Great trap and 2nd level blocker. A runaway truck on sweeps. 

He definitely moves better than most give him credit for. I fell into that camp (December ish) before I watched enough film. He traps extremely well and can get to the second level. Will he ever be an elite guard in space? Probably not. But he's functional enough that you should be able to work around any limitation. 

The bigger question is if he's going to meet the Vikings measurement thresholds. They want players who don't necessarily win with brute force, but with leverage. So arm length is going to be a factor for them. They don't need players with the vines for arms but close to 33" is where they generally draw the line. Hernandez has the 18th shortest arms at amongst interior O-lineman since 2010, most being centers. At center you can get away with it, not so much at OG. Just something to consider since the Vikings have passed on players due to measurable's more than once recently.  

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: After finally getting to watch some Will Hernandez, I no longer think he's an ill fit for the Vikings. Really impressed with how this beast of a man moves. Great trap and 2nd level blocker. A runaway truck on sweeps. 

The bigger question is if he's going to meet the Vikings measurement thresholds. They want players who don't necessarily win with brute force, but with leverage. So arm length is going to be a factor for them. They don't need players with the vines for arms but close to 33" is where they generally draw the line. Hernandez has the 18th shortest arms at amongst interior O-lineman since 2010, most being centers. At center you can get away with it, not so much at OG. Just something to consider since the Vikings have passed on players due to measurable's more than once recently.  

@"Bolstad79" said:

@"prairieghost" said: I don't know about you guys, but I sure don't want to see Trevor Siemian anywhere but on the sidelines holding a clipboard this season. I'd say in light of the 84 million dollar investment that was just made, it would seem prudent to select an OL with the first pick to protect said investment. Just ask the Packers how bad it sucks to start a backup for the bulk of the season... 

Why not just ask the Vikings.

Billy Price at 32” as well...   :o

Well let's not overrate the arm length either. Joe Thomas had 32 inch arms and he played left tackle. So did Jake, um, Long. DJ Fluker might have the record for longest arms and he was an all out bust...even as a guard, where arm length is less important. Both Pounceys, DeCastro just over 32. Justin Pugh 32. Reiff, a left tackle, has 33 inch arms, as does Bulaga...We'll see how Forrest Lamp does with his 32 inch arms. 

I get why you want your OLs to have long arms, but this might be one of the more overrated factors in the draft. 

@"MaroonBells" said: Well let's not overrate the arm length either. Joe Thomas had 32 inch arms and he played left tackle. So did Jake, um, Long. DJ Fluker might have the record for longest arms and he was an all out bust...even as a guard, where arm length is less important. Both Pounceys, DeCastro just over 32. Justin Pugh 32. Reiff, a left tackle, has 33 inch arms, as does Bulaga...We'll see how Forrest Lamp does with his 32 inch arms. 

I get why you want your OLs to have long arms, but this might be one of the more overrated factors in the draft.