Nick Emmanwori was widely considered one of the two best safeties in the 2025 NFL Draft Class and was projected to be a locked first-round pick.
However, only one safety, Malaki Starks, was drafted on Day 1 in Green Bay, and now Emmanwori is poised to hear his name early on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Top Potential Landing Spots for Nick Emmanwori
Emmanwori is one of the rarest safety talents to enter the NFL. He has the build of a linebacker but the movement skills of a compact free safety. The NFL covets speed and size at every defensive position, and Emmanwori fits the bill more than most.
With a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and a 43″ vertical jump, Emmanwori arguably had the greatest testing performance ever by a safety in Indianapolis. NFL teams have been burned by super-athletes at safety before, and to be clear, Emmanwori needs to improve his run support diagnosis and trigger before he can be a true multi-level weapon.
Nevertheless, his explosiveness is lethal as a click-and-close defender, and he has the coverage mobility and half-field vision to play two-high or big-nickel, as well as the catch-point proactivity and physicality to produce in that hybrid role. Usage is key, but his ceiling is incredibly high.
Minnesota Vikings
Emmanwori mostly played in the box at South Carolina and would look to do the same with the Minnesota Vikings, but he can be employed in the slot as well as deep safety. Josh Metellus was a good run defender for Minnesota, but Emmanwori adds value in his ability to cover well.
This will especially come in handy against tight ends. Emmanwori was targeted in coverage against a tight end 42 times and gave up an average of 5.8 yards on just 26 catches. With Brian Flores as the defensive coordinator, expect Emmanwori to be utilized to the best of his ability, including a couple of safety blitzes for the athletic freak.
Miami Dolphins
Miami has been heavily linked with Emmanwori over the past month in mock drafts, but the Dolphins decided to use their No. 13 pick on a defensive tackle in Kenneth Grant. With him still available on Day 2, the Dolphins would get a steal at No. 48 overall if he falls that low. While that’s very unlikely to happen, Emmanwori working in defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s scheme would be exciting.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta arguably had the best safety duo in the league in 2024 with Josh Simmons and Jessie Bates. However, with Simmons still a free agent, the Falcons could be looking at his replacement in the draft. And as far as athletic talents go, there won’t be many better than Emmanwori.
projections so far off clown article