The Green Bay Packers hit the jackpot when they unearthed running back Aaron Jones from UTEP in the fifth round last season.

Guard Will Hernandez was one of Jones’ top blockers in El Paso. He’s since established himself as one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2018 draft class.

Hernandez said he misses blocking for Jones, who produced two 100-yard games and ripped off six 20-yard runs for the Packers last season.

“Aaron is a great, great running back,” Hernandez said, according to Packers.com. “He definitely made my job a lot easier. I value him now, especially after he left, it was a little different because now I had to hold the holes a little bit longer and make them a little wider, or stay on my guy for a little bit longer. It did make me a better player, but I for sure miss blocking for that guy.”

Reuniting Hernandez with his favorite running back could be on the Packers’ radar. The 6-2, 348-pounder started 37 games over four seasons at left guard at UTEP. In Indianapolis, he put up 37 reps on the bench press, the most among offensive lineman at the combine. His experience and physical traits could make him a candidate to be Green Bay’s long-term answer at right guard.

“He’s exactly what you are looking for in terms of his work ethic and how much he loves the game,” one NFC scout told Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. “He will clique instantly in the offensive line room and he will be one of the strongest and toughest guys on the team as soon as he makes the roster.”

Hernandez said he remains in contact with Jones, who finished his rookie season with 448 rushing yards and a 5.5-yard average. Asked if he was surprised by Jones’ emergence as a rookie, Hernandez said, “Not at all.”

It’s highly unlikely that the Packers would use the 14th overall pick on Hernandez, even with so much uncertainty at right guard. New general manager Brian Gutekunst has bigger fish to fry. But at pick No. 45 in the second round? The Packers could be tempted.

Taking Hernandez would reunite Jones with the road-grading guard who opened so many holes during his record-breaking career at UTEP. The Packers running back left the school with over 4,000 career rushing yards.

Jones appears to be on board. He’s been retweeting all kinds of highlights and tweets about Henandez from the combine on Friday.