Round 7, pick 250: Calvin Ashley, OT, Florida A&M
At this point in the draft, General Manager John Schneider and company could choose to take something of a home run cut with the hope that they might somehow connect.
The Seahawks could certainly use an offensive tackle, and they just so happen to be a 6-foot-7, 330-pound former five-star prep prospect at the position who figures to be available when Seattle finds itself on the clock for the final time in this year’s NFL Draft.
Calvin Ashley, a FAMU Rattler by way of Auburn University, represents an intriguing back-end choice in next month’s proceedings. While it would seem difficult for such a mammoth human being to slip beneath the national radar, one need only review his collegiate journey to understand why that might be the case.
An Under Armour All-American and top 25 overall recruits nationally as a high school senior in the Washington D.C. area, Ashley was arguably the top prospect among a star-studded 2017 Auburn signing class. However, things would not go according to plan for Ashley on the Plains, where he would draw one start among five appearances in his lone active season with the Tigers.
Ashley would enter the NCAA transfer portal after the 2018 season, enrolling at Florida Atlantic before ultimately deciding to continue his collegiate career with SWAC member Florida A&M. Ashley would play well in his one season in Tallahassee, but opted to forego the 2020 FAMU season as the FCS school embarked upon a spring schedule.
Ashley possesses a rare combination of size and length, displaying a strong lower body along with plus functional strength throughout his ample frame. Often appearing somewhat impervious to power threats, he quickly dispatches with incoming bull rushers, easily regaining his footing and dropping anchor.
However, in addition to his circuitous collegiate path and relative lack of playing experience, there are sufficient on-field issues with Ashley (hand placement, upper body leverage, lateral agility) to seemingly cement his status as a late-day three option.
Given the risk/benefit proposition of such a player at this point in the draft, Ashley could prove to be one of the draft’s true steals should he prove able to harness his considerable talents at the next level.