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Offensive line isn't the Browns' biggest position of need heading into the 2015 NFL Draft, but support for the use of a high draft pick on an offensive tackle is growing.
According to ESPN.com, the Browns are planning to take a closer look at one player at the position: D.J. Humphries.
Humphries primarily played left tackle in college. The University of Florida product decided to forgo his senior season following an impressive 2014 junior campaign, in which Humphries started all but two games.
Despite his success last season, Humphries was limited at times by injury. Humphries started the first six games of his sophomore year before suffering an MCL injury and missing the last seven games of the season. Humphries did play in all 12 contests in 2012, earning All-Freshman SEC status. All told, Humphries started just 19 games at Florida.
Before the Combine, Humphries was a solid prospect, but his draft stock received a big boost with impressive numbers during drills in Indianapolis. The Union, North Carolina native tabbed a 40-yard dash time of 5.12 seconds and hit 26 reps on the bench press.
Humphries' size worried scouts heading into the Combine, but concerns in this area were alleviated when Humphries weighed in at 307 pounds. While at Florida, Humphries played at 6'5, 285 pounds.
Besides the Browns, a number of other teams will visit with Humphries before draft day. The Bengals, Buccaneers, Chargers, and Panthers will all meet with the offensive tackle prospect, according to ESPN.com.
NFL Draft analysts are divided on which team will select the 21 year old, but most agree that Humphries will land near the bottom of the first. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein pegged Humphries as high as #18 (Chiefs), while fellow NFL.com prognosticators Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks, and Charles Davis all have the Panthers picking him at #25. CBSSports.com's Rob Rang, Dane Brugler, and Pete Prisco all concur that the Panthers will use their first round selection on Humphries.
Humphries, along with several other highly touted offensive tackles, will likely be on the board when the Browns draft at #19. The question lingers: will the Browns invest big at the position in 2015?