The Seahawks will be hosting the best player in the 2023 NFL draft today when Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter comes to visit. Carter is the most popular mock draft pick for Seattle and their No. 5 overall selection in the draft. However, Carter is far from the only interior defensive line prospect this team has their eyes on.
According to Aaron Wilson, Seattle is hosting Illinois DT Calvin Avery today, as well. Avery is more of a traditional nose tackle, which fits what the team needs after they released Al Woods.
Illinois @IlliniFootball nose tackle Calvin Avery (6-2, 325, 31 reps, 30 1/2 inch vertical, 24 tackles, two for losses, one forced fumble in 12 starts last season) visits #Seahawks Tuesday, had local prospect days with #Cowboys #Colts and multiple Zooms, per a league source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 10, 2023
Avery has size and power to spare. At his pro day he checked in at 6-foot-1, 345 pounds, posting 31 bench press reps and an almost 82″ wingspan.
During his 39 games at Illinois, he posted 2.5 sacks and seven tackles for a loss. Here’s a look at Avery giving fits to the 2023 NFL draft’s top-ranked center, Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz.
DT Calvin Avery (#93) vs C John Michael Schmitz (#60) pic.twitter.com/UrQOyLQ3Kq
— metalurgico (@metalurgico144) March 13, 2023
What the Seahawks need at this spot most of all is the ability to plug the gushing hole in their run defese. Here’s a clip of Avery stuffing the run against Northwestern.
Calvin Avery and Johnny Newton. pic.twitter.com/UHnQ9sD8on
— Illinois Football Focus (@IlliniFB) November 26, 2022
Avery can do more than just stop the run, though. Here he is blowing past Wisconsin’s Joe Tippmann and pressuring the quarterback.
This is now a Calvin Avery thread.
Tippman kinda getting handled though… pic.twitter.com/6MNreDADC1
— Joel Chandler (@BengalScoutJoel) February 21, 2023
Avery is projected as an UDFA.
