Scouts rated him as a legitimate second-round pick, and an overarching theme dominated the descriptions of his playing style.
He “has a mean streak.’’ He “never gives ground.’’ He “will battle and give second effort.’’ He “plays hard and dominates.’’ And, in summation, there was this: “Nasty.’’
This sure sounds like Will Hernandez, the guard the Giants selected with the second pick in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft, 34th overall. This was, however, the analysis of scouts prior to the 2004 draft, referring to Chris Snee, the guard the Giants selected with the second pick in the second round of the 2004 draft, 34th overall.
“I have no issues with that comparison,’’ Snee told The Post recently.
The Giants also have no issues with that comparison and hope it sticks as gospel.
Snee, in a 10-year career, started all 141 games he appeared in. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl champion. He already is enshrined in the franchise’s Ring of Honor. If Hernandez can approach that standard, he will be the anchor of a new and improved offensive line and protect Eli Manning in the latter stages of his career the way Snee did at the start of the Manning era.
This is why, in one week, when the Giants report for training camp, Hernandez will be a player to watch.
“I’d like to think I was a better athlete than he is but he’s a mauler, a road-grader, everything from that aspect you’re looking for in an interior lineman,’’ Snee said. “Honestly, it’s just flattering my name is tossed around still. I’ve been retired four years. I look forward to watching him.’’
Hernandez is not a passive rookie. He did not make it out of his first NFL spring practice without getting into his first squabble, mixing it up with linebacker B.J. Goodson. In his first NFL mini-camp, Hernandez and defensive tackle Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison exchanged unpleasantries. No wonder general manager Dave Gettleman labeled Hernandez as “cranky’’ and made it sound like a term of endearment.
“Will Hernandez has already been in five fights,’’ Manning said, exaggerating for effect. “I love it.’’
Snee came out of Boston College as a 6-foot-2, 314-pound right guard. Hernandez is a naturally bigger man, arriving out of Texas El Paso as a 6-2, 327-pound left guard, slated to start alongside veteran free-agent acquisition Nate Solder. Snee immediately showed an ability to get out and pull. As of now, Hernandez has not flashed that sort of footwork.
The interest Snee has in Hernandez is not merely from the outside looking in. Snee works as a scout for the Jaguars (a team run by his father-in-law, Tom Coughlin), paying special attention to college offensive linemen. In his role as a talent evaluator, Snee wrote a pre-draft report on Hernandez.
“I think [Hernandez] is maybe a little stronger physically than I was at that point, but I would like to think my movement was a little bit better,’’ Snee said. “The one thing I love about him is his makeup. He has the intent to be physical. It seems silly to say it, but really, when you’re evaluating the position, the college game is so different, it’s hard to find that guy that really wants to kick the guy’s ass in front of him.
“The minute I put on his tape last fall I saw that, and speaking with him in person I really love his makeup. That’s an attitude that you bring into that locker room, that line room. He’s a young guy but eventually, as he gets a couple of years under his belt, that attitude becomes infectious with the young guys after him.’’
As rugged as he’s been on the field with his new Giants teammates, Hernandez thus far is affable off it, quick to smile and express his desire to keep opponents off Manning and open holes for rookie classmate Saquon Barkley. Snee in his first year was more reserved, as he put his head down and worked to prove he was one of the guys, despite his personal ties to the head coach.
Former players, especially elite ones, often are reluctant to project themselves in those currently occupying the position they once held. Snee, though, is getting a kick out of hearing about Hernandez.
The sorry state of the Giants’ offensive line the past few years was disheartening to Snee and all the offensive linemen who helped the franchise win its two most recent Super Bowls. Hernandez is the young centerpiece of the rebuild, just as Snee was 14 years earlier.