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LA Rams tipped to sign Cardinals OG in free agency

By James Dudko

Sep 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) celebrates with Arizona Cardinals guard Will Hernandez (76) after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) celebrates with Arizona Cardinals guard Will Hernandez (76) after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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LA Rams Free Agency Rams Roster Will Hernandez
Mandatory Credit: Nfl Cardinals Practice /

Draft pick to durable blue-collar veteran

His struggles as a high draft pick for the Giants meant Hernandez arrived in the desert with little fanfare. Fortunately, the 27-year-old wasted no time proving his draft status wasn’t a mistake.

Hernandez showed out with a flawless display against the Raiders in Week 2, per Pro Football Focus stats cited by Cardinals writer Mike Jurecki:

The 6-foot-2, 335-pounder has also been flagged for just two penalties this season, according to Pro Football Reference in 578 offensive snaps. The Cardinals had to place Hernandez on IR due to a pec muscle injury. He has missed four games this season, but is already designated to return from IR.

A good guard is tough to find

Finding guards anywhere close to as competent as Hernandez has been a problem for the Rams this season.

light. Related Story. LA Rams OL: A bricklayer’s tale of bricks, mortar, and walls

It’s been a revolving door, with LA Rams’ guards Coleman Shelton and Bobby Evans playing the most snaps. Backups Oday Aboushi, Jeremiah Kolone, and starting left guard David Edwards have also filled in at times. Edwards is projected to become a free agent at the end of this season, and the Rams have no certain player to fill in that void.

Problems inside, along with the failure to replace retired left tackle Andrew Whitworth, have led to some rough outings for the Rams’ pass protectors. Their nadir was Week 5’s disappointing 22-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys when LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked five times.

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