Browns Have Scheduled Pre-Draft Visit with OT Ereck Flowers

A dominant offensive line is critical for the success of any offense, as the Browns are well aware. The club is currently considering the idea of investing in an offensive tackle early in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Top offensive tackle prospect Ereck Flowers has a pre-draft visit scheduled with the Browns, according to WalterFootball.com.

The 6'6, 329 pounder played both tackle positions at the University of Miami. Flowers enters the draft as a junior, having started all but one game at left tackle in 2014. The Miami, Florida native missed one contest due to a mid-season knee injury that required a surgical procedure, according to NFL.com. Flowers started all 13 games at left tackle as a sophomore in 2013, and started four games at right tackles in 2012.

Flowers is currently projected as a first round selection. However, NFL Draft experts are divided on when the offensive tackle will come off the board. ESPN's Mel Kiper, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, and Walter Football have all projected Flowers to the Browns at #19. CBSSports.com's Rob Rang pegged Flowers to the Lions at #23 and Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times predicted Flowers to the Broncos at #28.

The Browns could certainly use help on the offensive line in 2015. Following Alex Mack's injury last season, the team's offensive line struggled mightily, particularly the right side.

Even if the Browns do decide to pursue Flowers, the team will have a lot of competition. The Colts, Chargers, Buccaneers, Falcons, and Panthers all plan to meet and/or work out Flowers before the draft. The 20 year old reportedly met with 28 clubs at the Combine, and has "met or spoken with 31 teams," according to Walter Football.

At the Combine, Flowers ran a 40-yard dash time of 5.31 seconds and hit 37 reps in the bench press. Flowers' pro day at Miami is set for April 1.