Why OL Will Hernandez could still be a free agent fit for the Cowboys

Will Hernandez remains a name to watch.

Player acquisition is a 365-day commitment, or at least it should be. To this point in the spring, the Dallas Cowboys have done a better job in that department than they did last offseason.

While the Cowboys have not signed or acquired any blue-chip players, they have added competition and depth at multiple positions of need, and significantly strengthened parts of their roster. Still, there are plenty of areas the Cowboys could improve and make their team even more complete before the start of training camp.

One area the Cowboys could look to improve at is finding someone to compete for the starting spot at right guard. Dallas’ longtime starter at the position, Zack Martin, finally called it quits a few weeks back, leaving the Cowboys searching for a starter for the first time in a decade.

Internally, Dallas has players like Brock Hoffman or T.J. Bass who could start at the position, but neither player has done enough during their time on the field to make themselves a lock.

The Cowboys would be wise to add some veteran competition to the group, and a free agent target still available would make a lot of sense. That guy is 29-year-old offensive lineman Will Hernandez.

Hernandez was a second-round pick by the New York Giants back in 2018, and Dallas had plenty of confirmed interest in him as a prospect coming out of college. The Cowboys have shown a trend of targeting available players they liked coming out of school this spring, and Hernandez could be the next to follow suit.

The UTEP product went on to sign with the Arizona Cardinals after four seasons in New York. From 2022 to 2024, Hernandez posted some solid production, recording a Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade of 70 or higher in all three seasons. The 29-year-old got off to a great start during the 2024 season, allowing no sacks and recording a career-high 69.3 offensive grade in the first five games before suffering an unfortunate season-ending injury (torn ACL) in a matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

During his final two seasons in Arizona, Hernandez’s offensive line coach was new Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams. When Dallas hired his former coach back in February, Hernandez strongly endorsed the hire, stating, “I’m telling you: you got the right guy.”

Judging by his comments, it seems like the two had a good relationship, and a reunion in Dallas would make sense for both sides. From Hernandez’s perspective, he would have a great chance to become Dallas’ starter at right guard, and being familiar with the offensive coordinator would give him a chance to hit the ground running after suffering a tough injury last season.

For the Cowboys, adding Hernandez would be a no-lose scenario. If he plays well, he starts over Hoffman and Bass, and those two serve as depth pieces. If he struggles, you either cut him after camp or let him serve as a veteran backup who can play multiple positions.

Will Hernandez and the Dallas Cowboys still seem like a great fit. Only time will tell if the two sides have a mutual interest in each other.