The Seattle Seahawks are celebrated for their exceptional drafting in the 2025 NFL draft, with a particular focus on the value pick of safety Nick Emmanwori in the second round. Emmanwori, possessing the highest athleticism score among safeties in recent years, is noted for his size, speed, and explosive physicality, drawing comparisons to Kam Chancellor. Despite some critiques regarding his urgency in run support, his potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber player is recognized due to his rare NFL traits. His physical playstyle is reminiscent of the Seahawks' 'Legion of Boom' era, making him a promising fit for the team's defense under coach Mike Macdonald. As the season progresses, Emmanwori is expected to play a significant role in the Seahawks' defensive lineup, starting as the third safety on the depth chart but likely earning more snaps over time.

The Seahawks' 2025 NFL draft is highly praised, especially for the selection of Nick Emmanwori, regarded as one of the best value picks in the second round due to his exceptional athleticism and physicality.

Emmanwori's physical attributes include a height of over 6-foot-3, a weight of 220 pounds, a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, and top marks in the broad and vertical jumps, highlighting his unique size-speed traits.

Despite his impressive athletic profile, Emmanwori's game tape reveals a need for greater urgency in run support, although his capabilities in coverage and tackling are strong when fully engaged.

His playstyle is likened to that of Kam Chancellor, a former stalwart of the Seahawks' 'Legion of Boom,' suggesting he could help recreate that formidable defensive presence.

Projected to initially serve as the No. 3 safety behind Julian Love and Coby Bryant, Emmanwori is anticipated to gain significant playing time, potentially becoming a key defensive asset as the season unfolds.

Most experts agreed the Seattle Seahawks had one of the best drafts of any team in the NFL, and one outlet also credited general manager John Schneider with making one of the best value picks over the course of the three-day event.

According to Next Gen Stats, new Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori was one of the best value picks on Day 2. Emmanwori was taken with the No. 35 overall pick, which came in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Next Gen Stats points out that, by their metrics, Emmanwori has the highest athleticism score of any safety over the past three drafts. They also laud the Seahawks' newest safety's physicality and explosiveness.

"Armed with 10 picks entering this year's draft, Seahawks general manager John Schneider had the flexibility to maneuver up the board and land a potential Day 1 starter at No. 35 overall," the outlet wrote. "Emmanwori, who drew comparisons to former Legion of Boom anchor Kam Chancellor during the pre-draft process, brings rare size-speed traits to Seattle's secondary. At just over 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Emmanwori posted elite testing numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, hitting a top speed of 23.53 mph (tied for fastest among safeties) and recording position-best marks in the broad jump (11-foot-6) and vertical jump (43 inches). His 91 athleticism score is the highest by a safety in the Next Gen Stats model over the past three drafts. With his blend of physicality and explosiveness, Emmanwori should immediately compete for a starting role alongside Julian Love, giving the Seahawks another dynamic chess piece on defense."

There was more than one draft expert who had a first-round grade on the South Carolina product before the draft, with one of them being Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.

The assessment of Emmanwori’s tape could depend on which games you watch. He’s a physical specimen with rare size and outstanding speed, but he doesn’t always play with a “first to the action” mentality in run support. When he gets it cranked up, he becomes a much more effective tackler and overall run stopper from sideline to sideline. He’s capable of playing over the top, inside the box or even matching up with pass-catching tight ends. He’s upright with average transition fluidity in coverage, but he has great recovery speed and uses his length to throw a blanket over the catch point. He has rare NFL traits and talent, so a boost in urgency could take him from a good starter to a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

Emmanwori plays a physical brand of football that will remind fans of the "Legion of Boom" days, something Schneider and the Seahawks would obviously love to recreate. He should be a fantastic fit for head coach Mike Macdonald's defense.

Looking ahead to Year 1, Emmanwori figures to factor in as the No. 3 safety on the depth chart behind Julian Love and Coby Bryant, but that shouldn't stop him from seeing a healthy dose of snaps early on, and possibly more and more as the year progresses.

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