Cameron Erving

Browns center Cameron Erving might be tried at tackle.

(Scott Patsko, cleveland.com)

BEREA, Ohio -- While Hue Jackson is evaluating Cody Kessler as his possible quarterback of the future, he's doing likewise with Cam Erving as his center of tomorrow.

Jackson acknowledged for the first time on Friday that Erving might not be cut out for center, and if that's the case, they'll try him at tackle. Currently, profootballfocus.com has Erving last among NFL centers.

"Right now, he's the center of this football team,'' said Jackson. "There are some things he needs to improve at, but I'm not down on Cam about this season. This is his first opportunity at doing this at a high level week in and week out.

"If he shows that's not him, then we'll find someplace else for him to play. Right now, he's done exactly what I anticipated. Can he improve? Yes, and I think he will."

Jackson stressed that they'll work Erving, who's questionable for the Cowboys game with a shoulder injury, at tackle if it's determined that center is not for him.

"That's where we'll try him at, there's no question,'' he said.

The Browns' No. 19 overall pick in 2016, Erving started 37 games at left tackle at Florida State, earning first-team All-ACC honors, before switching to center for the last five games of his senior year.

He earned rave reviews for his play at center, which prompted former general manager Ray Farmer to draft him No. 19 overall. But Erving started only those five games at center in a pro style offense, and rarely had to snap from the shotgun. He's struggled with that this season and with the demands of the position.

"I still think he is (our center),'' said Jackson. "That will be something that I'll determine. I have to make sure I take a great look at everything so that we feel comfortable that we have the right pieces in the right places.

"Cam is a very important part of our future. He's playing center now, and hopefully, that's where he'll stay. ... It's very important that we get some things in concrete.''

If Erving moves, the Browns have a strong center candidate in first-year player Austin Reiter, who started against Washington in Week 4 and earned rave reviews from coaches and teammates.

Reiter suffered a torn ACL in that game and recently underwent surgery, but he's expected to make a full recovery for next season. He'll likely challenge for the starting job, but the Browns might also have to draft another center if they decide Erving is best at right tackle.

But first, they'll also have to make sure Erving can make the transition from left tackle to right, which can be difficult for some players.

Jackson is doing the same thing along the offensive line that he is at quarterback and other spots over these last eight games: determining holes for the draft. The Browns have two first-round picks and two second-round picks in 2017.

"Just like this situation with Cody, I'm going to keep searching for what's right for our football team,'' he said. "I feel really good about where we are at left tackle. Obviously, (Joe Thomas is) one of the best players that has played here and played the game.

"As we move forward everywhere else, I'll continue to find what's best because it's important for me to know. We've had a lot of injuries and that's kind of been in flux. It's really important over the next eight weeks to settle on a group and let them play.''

He added, "when you're interchanging people all of the time, those things can get a little discombobulated. If we can get a group together and just let them play, we will work everything else out in the end."

And before long, the Browns will know if they'll be looking for a new center and have their new right tackle.