2018 NFL Mock Draft: Browns land Baker Mayfield

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 04: North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb (9) enters the field before the game between the Clemson Tigers and the NC State Wolfpack on November 04, 2017 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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56. . OG. UTEP. Will Hernandez. 12. player

After losing Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler in free agency following the 2016 season, the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line struggled mightily in 2017 and figures to undergo a major overhaul via the draft. With Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson off the board at this spot, the Bengals turn to another interior offensive lineman in UTEP’s Will Hernandez.

Hernandez is a bit undersized (6-foot-2) but was one of college football’s most decorated and accomplished offensive lineman over the past four years. He uses an outstanding blend of power and tenacity at the point of attack that should make him a starter from day one of his NFL career. Just like Nelson, Hernandez also displays a nasty streak that is coveted by today’s coaches in the NFL.

As mentioned before, Hernandez’s height and length aren’t ideal for the position, which could give him trouble holding off pass rushers at the next level. However, he displays enough athleticism and awareness to potentially make up for these flaws.

The Bengals saw some positive developments on offense with the emergence of rookie Joe Mixon but will need to overhaul the offensive line if they want to have a solid run game in 2018. The twelfth pick may be a bit of a reach for some of the offensive tackles on the board, so Cincinnati could very well choose to address the interior with this pick and take a tackle like Pitt’s Brian O’Neill in the second round.

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