SEAHAWKS TRADE UP, DRAFT NICK EMMANWORI!

Mike Macdonald is ready to play chess

The Seattle Seahawks traded up in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and selected safety Nick Emmanwori with the 35th overall pick! The Seahawks traded picks 52 and 82 to move up for Emmanwori, signaling that John Schneider and Mike Macdonald see him as a first round-quality prospect who will become a key component of the defense for at least the next four years.

PICK 50: TE Elijah Arroyo

PICK 92: QB Jalen Milroe

Share your thoughts and grades on the trade and player:

Emmanwori was one of the best athletes at the combine, which says a lot given the level of talent that is invited to Indianapolis every year:

• 6’3

• 220 lbs

• 32.5” arms

• 78.5” wingspan (87th percentile)

• 4.38 40-yard dash (96th percentile)

• 1.49 10-yard split (93rd percentile)

• 43” vertical (99th percentile)

• 11’6 broad jump (100th percentile)

• 20 reps on the bench (78th percentile)

There is no question that Emmanwori is a 99th-percentile athlete who was also a ball hawk at South Carolina (4 interceptions, 2 pick-sixes in 2024, All-American) and because of his position and size people will compare him to Kam Chancellor, while others have name-dropped Kyle Hamilton due to the association with Macdonald.

However, Emmanwori will have to prove where he best fits on an NFL defense because there are some questions if he might be better suited as a linebacker or playing closer to the line of scrimmage as a huge nickel.

In any case, Emmanwori is now with the Seahawks and given his current standing as a Mike Macdonald defensive “chess piece” that is very exciting.

Scouting Report (NFL Draft Buzz)

Emmanwori will likely be an immediate impact player at the next level, particularly for defensive coordinators creative enough to maximize his unique skill set. His rare blend of size and speed screams modern NFL safety, capable of matching up with tight ends, supporting the run, and roaming the deep middle. Think a more explosive version of Kam Chancellor with better man coverage skills.

Any team running a heavy-quarters coverage scheme should have Emmanwori circled in red on their draft board. His ability to play in the box, handle man coverage responsibilities, and deliver bone-crushing hits makes him an ideal fit for defenses that ask their safeties to wear multiple hats. While he'll need some technical refinement in zone coverage, his athletic traits and football intelligence suggest a high ceiling as he develops.

The NFL is trending toward hybrid defenders who can counter modern offensive attacks, and Emmanwori fits that mold perfectly. His combination of size, speed, and physicality should make him an early contributor, with Pro Bowl potential if he lands with a defensive staff willing to move him around the formation.

HIGHLIGHTS

TOP TRAITS (PFF):

• RANGE

• LINEAR ATHLETICISM

• BALL SKILLS

• FLEXIBILITY

WEAKNESSES (PFF):

• ZONE AWARENESS

• TACKLING

• VERSATILITY

• MAN COVERAGE

SCOUTING REPORT:

Emmanwori’s elite size and speed combination will undoubtedly draw evaluators’ attention, as he possesses numerous tools that are proven assets at the NFL level. However, his stiffness and lack of anticipation leave him playing catch-up often. He tends to grab receivers and is most effective as a box/slot defender who can match up with tight ends, where his tools work to his advantage. He can get washed down in the run game and over run ball carriers.

THE DRAFT NETWORK:

“Emmanwori’s highest-impact plays have come in the passing game, where he has shown the versatility to fill multiple roles. Whether functioning as a single-high deep safety, playing in a split-safety two-high look, or rolling down into the box as a second-level defender, Emmanwori has proven he can excel in a variety of situations.

As a deep safety, Emmanwori has the hash-to-sideline range necessary to make plays on deep passes. He puts himself in position to either intercept the ball or break up passes for deflections. When playing closer to the line of scrimmage as a second-level defender, Emmanwori appears most comfortable. In zone coverage, he demonstrates excellent depth on his drops, effectively taking away throwing windows created by route combinations.

Emmanwori’s deceptive athleticism allows him to bait quarterbacks into thinking they can fit the ball into a window behind him, only for him to recover, gain depth, and intercept the pass. He showcases good ball skills, tracking the ball effectively and securing it when he gets two hands on it. Once he intercepts the ball, Emmanwori becomes a dangerous returner, capable of picking up significant yardage. Overall, Emmanwori’s ball skills have made him one of the most productive defenders in the secondary, ending the season with four interceptions.

Emmanwori’s areas for improvement come primarily in run defense. His versatility to align in multiple secondary positions has led to mixed results. When playing in the box, Emmanwori occasionally struggles to shed blocks and lacks consistency as a sideline-to-sideline run defender. Additionally, Emmanwori needs to refine his tackling technique. He sometimes overruns ball-carriers, takes poor angles, or misses tackles altogether. Despite these challenges, Emmanwori has the physical traits—size, length, and athleticism—to become an excellent tackler and reliable run defender. Improving the finer details of his approach to tackling will significantly elevate his performance.

Thanks to his size, length, and ball skills, Emmanwori is an exciting secondary prospect for NFL teams. With consistent improvements in his run defense and tackling, Emmanwori has the potential to develop into a highly reliable and productive player in the NFL.”