If you’re looking for a road grading offensive lineman to plow holes for running backs, look no further than Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers. This guy is quite possibly the best run blocking right tackle in the draft. He’s aggressive, strong, and massive in size.
However, if a team is looking to bring him in as a left tackle, they have some work ahead of them. He isn’t at his best when asked to play a “dancing bear” role, but has shown flashes of being able to perform that duty. Despite the positive glimpses, it could be a mistake to draft Ereck Flowers if a team is thinking of plugging him to protect a quarterback’s blind side.
Ereck Flowers has flaws, but is also specialized as a run blocker. He’ll appeal to teams looking to get a strong run game and solidify the right side side of the offensive line with a possible potential of developing into a better pass protector in the future.
Oct 4, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Ereck Flowers (74) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech defeated Miami 28-17. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Combine Measurables:
- Height: 6’6″
- Weight: 329 pounds
- Arm Length: 34.5″
- Hand Size: 9 7/8″
- 40 Yard Dash: 5.31 seconds
- Bench Press: 37 reps
- Vertical Jump: N/A
- Broad Jump: N/A
- 3 Cone Drill: N/A
- 20 Yard Shuttle: N/A
Draft Projection
Ereck Flowers is the #21 overall prospect according to CBS Sports and is their #5 offensive tackle available in the 2015 NFL Draft. He looks to be selected at the tail end of the first round.
NFL Player Comparison
- NFL.com: Anthony Davis, San Francisco 49ers
- CBSSports.com: Andrew Whitworth, Cincinatti Bengals
Fit For The Vikings
The Vikings already have the right tackle position locked down with Phil Loadholt but could look for a backup/swing tackle in the 2015 NFL Draft.
My Take
As much as I loved watching Ereck Flowers run over defenders on tape, the Vikings already have their man to do that and using a top pick on a guy that would be a backup would be a mistake at this point. Instead, watch for him to be drafted into a D.J. Fluker type role to a team looking for a solid right tackle.
Next: Top 10 Biggest Vikings Salaries For 2015
More from The Viking Age
- 6 biggest draft steals in Minnesota Vikings history
- Former Vikings first-round pick could reportedly return to NFC North
- Bears analyst has extremely embarrassing Kirk Cousins take
- 6 Vikings who (maybe) won’t make the 53-man roster in 2023
- Predicting what the Vikings will do in the 2023 NFL Draft based on 2022