NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Denver Broncos: Making The Case For Ereck Flowers

By Jonathan George

facebooktwitterreddit

With the NFL Draft literally hours away now, every team is finalizing their draft board in the hopes that the players they want fall into their teams slots as they come up.

It is impossible for any team to expect every player they put at the top of their boards will be available in each round, and every team has their plan B and C in case it doesn’t work out. The Denver Broncos most likely are looking at a variety of offensive lineman in the 1st round, as their needs at the position are well chronicled. One player that could be a teams plan A, B or C in the 1st round is offensive tackle Ereck Flowers from the University of Miami.

Flowers is a player that has playing experience at both the left and right tackle spots, a trait not seen in many player’s scouting reports and one that is highly valued for obvious reasons. As the Broncos could use a valuable starter at multiple line positions on offense, Flowers could start at right tackle right away, or even slide into a guard spot if needed.

Flowers is a player that “Shows quickness and balance getting to the second level when run blocking. Broad shoulders and a wide base to cover a large area in pass protection and drive defenders off the ball in the run game.”per Rob Rang and Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com. As he is equally adept and run and pass blocking, Flowers could be the immediate long-term answer on the Broncos line.

More from Denver Broncos

There aren’t a lot of players that start for a major collegiate program at tackle and go the entire year without giving up a sack, but that is exactly what Flowers did in 2015. It was an impressive enough performance for the season that Gil Brandt, a long time scout and former NFL executive, had to tweet about it:

The Broncos have several players that could fit nicely into their scheme depending on how the draft plays out, but unfortunately many of them are rocketing up lots of experts’ mock draft boards. Guys like Cameron Erving from Florida State and Maxx Williams from Minnesota looked to be potential targets for Denver when they pick at 28, but it is very likely that these players could already be gone. Flowers was a guy many experts looked at as a 2nd round talent, but as the draft is getting closer he is widely considered a 1st rounder, with some people thinking even slotting him as a top 20 selection.

The Broncos should be hoping that doesn’t happen, however, as they need a high level player at both the tackle and guard positions badly. Flowers is one of those guys that has been described as a mauler; a 6’6” 330 pound behemoth that is built for overpowering any defensive end’s bullrush move but with quick enough feet to fend off a speed rusher’s best move.

While he has had some decision-making issues related to anger in the past (like when he gave an obscene gesture at a crowd during a loss to Nebraska last season per ESPN.com), but any optimist would say that just means he is a fiery competitor and a guy that will protect his teammates. In the end, Flowers talent level and drive should be something that the Broncos highly covet, as there where times last season that their team seemed to lack fire on offense.

When the Broncos pick in the 1st round Thursday night, Ereck Flowers could be the guy that Denver selects. He is a player who could help extend Peyton Manning’s career and someone who could give the Broncos a great chance at a Super Bowl ring. With the schedule they have this upcoming year, they can’t afford to have any high round misses. Flowers would not be a miss at 28th.

Next: Denver looks for a defensive star at 28

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Denver Broncos