The Minnesota Vikings are poised to make a run this season after a 4-0 start, and that could prompt the team to be buyers at the trade deadline.
One unsung name that fans clamored for over seven years ago could be on the trade block in Arizona Cardinals guard Will Hernandez.
The Viking Age’s Adam Patrick pitched Hernandez as a replacement to starting guard Ed Ingram, who after leading the league in pressures allowed in the past two seasons, has allowed the sixth-most pressures (12) this season, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
“Leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft, there were a number of players Minnesota Vikings fans wanted their favorite team to select with its first-round pick. One of these players was former UTEP offensive guard Will Hernandez, but instead of using their top selection to improve their offensive line, the Vikings used the pick on former UCF cornerback Mike Hughes,” Patrick wrote on October 4.
Considering the Cardinals are 1-3 and Hernandez is in the final year of his contract, Arizona may be looking to regain some draft capital after not re-signing him before the start of the season. The Vikings did the same with 2020 second-round pick Ezra Cleveland last year, sending him to the Jacksonville Jaguars at the trade deadline.
Hernandez would be an improvement as a pass-blocker while also offering the same upside as Ingram in the running game.
“They both perform at a similar level when it comes to run blocking, but Hernandez is much better when it comes to protecting the quarterback,” Patrick added. “Ingram’s PFF pass-blocking grade ranks 65th out of 68 qualifying guards in the NFL this season, while Hernandez’s PFF pass-blocking grade this year has a much more respectable ranking at 23rd.”
Hernandez, 29, may only cost the Vikings their fifth-round pick in next year’s draft.