The NFL offseason moves quickly after the draft wraps up, and that trend continues this spring. With organized team activities (OTAs) now taking place across the league and June approaching, free agents have limited time to find new teams before training camps open in July.
Although still being a free agent this late isn’t ideal, teams like the Detroit Lions could benefit. Many veterans may be more willing to accept lower deals as June nears, making it the perfect time for the Lions to take a chance on a veteran offensive lineman who could offer excellent value at a discount price.
Detroit lost some veteran pieces this offseason, most notably starting right guard Kevin Zeitler, who signed with the Tennessee Titans for $9 million. While players like sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany and rookies Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier could fill that gap, there’s still room to add another option into the mix.
Will Hernandez, 29, was a second-round draft pick in 2018 who spent his early years with the New York Giants and most recently played for the Arizona Cardinals. With 91 starts in 97 games, the UTEP alum brings a wealth of experience, which could be valuable for mentoring Detroit’s younger offensive linemen.
While veteran experience often comes with a higher price tag, Hernandez might come cheap due to his injury history. The Las Vegas native has missed 16 games over the past three years and played just five times in 2024 before a knee injury in Week 5 ended his season.
Despite those concerns, Hernandez’s performance before the injury was encouraging. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned a 74.2 pass protection grade and a personal-best 66.0 in run blocking. Replicating that form would be a significant boost to the Lions’ offensive front.
Adding to his appeal is Hernandez’s ability to play both guard spots, giving head coach Dan Campbell additional flexibility with the offensive line rotation.
In the end, bringing in Hernandez would be a smart, low-cost move that could pay off big. Given how injuries can derail a season, having a dependable, affordable lineman like Hernandez in reserve could help the Lions stay competitive through the year.
