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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Tim Weaver

2023 NFL draft: Seahawks meeting with Illinois DT Calvin Avery today

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.

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.

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.

Avery can do more than just stop the run, though. Here he is blowing past Wisconsin’s Joe Tippmann and pressuring the quarterback.

Avery is projected as an UDFA.

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