Chicago Bears: Intriguing Round 2 options in 2018 NFL Draft (Pt. 1)

Will Hernandez, LG (UTEP)

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 348 pounds

Arm length: 32 inches

Hands: 9 7/8 inches

We’ve talked about Hernandez before, but it bears revisiting after the way he tested at the NFL Combine.

While all eyes were on Quenton Nelson, Hernandez got heads snapping in his direction in the weight room with 37 bench press reps at 225 pounds. That topped the day for all offensive linemen.

On top of that, he showed he could run a little bit (5.15-second 40) and had excellent footwork in drills for a completely massive human.

But again, we didn’t need all that to know that Hernandez was a good football player. The tape on him makes that clear enough. And with his ability to move in space for a big man, as well as his monstrous strength, he can probably start Day 1 at guard.

In particular, he played left guard exclusively at UTEP, which would make him an instant plug-and-play candidate to replace Josh Sitton if the Chicago Bears moved on him at pick No. 39. He won’t last after that.

Slot him next to Cody Whitehair and opposite Kyle Long, and you have a beastly, athletic offensive interior again.

This pick likely only happens if the Bears fill in their receiver needs quickly in free agency and get an edge rusher in the first round. And there’s always that chance that Nelson falls to them at No. 8 due to everyone swooning over the quarterbacks.

If they feel they can take the shot, though, Hernandez would be your 2018 version of Whitehair, stepping right in as a rookie.