Nick Emmanwori was one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. His unparalleled athletic testing numbers made him an intriguing player, but his production on the field at South Carolina didn't always line up with the potential scouts saw in him.
When the Seattle Seahawks drafted the safety early in the second round, the pick wasn't necessarily met with immediate praise. Many analysts questioned his ability to make an immediate impact in Seattle.
Through the first half of the season, the pick looks like one of the steals of the draft. Emmanwori has been a crucial part of the Seahawks' success on defense. Mike Macdonald has used him in a variety of ways, but he's primarily lined up close to the line of scrimmage.
He's been impressive in that role so far, but he faces his toughest test yet this weekend. In a matchup with the Los Angeles Rams that could decide the fate of the NFC West, Emmanwori's talent will be put on display for the football world to see.
Nick Emmanwori is set to take center stage in Seahawks' battle with Rams
The average NFL fan could probably tell you that Emmanwori has been an impactful rookie. But without watching the Seahawks play, it's hard to quantify just how much he does for Macdonald's defense. The rookie plays almost all of his defensive snaps either as a slot cornerback or in the box.
He's far from being the traditional safety that roams the defensive secondary, shutting down deep passes. Instead, he's used as a disruptor near the line of scrimmage, much like Macdonald used Kyle Hamilton at times in Baltimore.
This usage allows the Seahawks to line up with five defensive backs on the field most of the time, giving them the flexibility to stop both the run and the pass. Even if Emmanwori's stats aren't eye-popping, he allows his team to play defense on its own terms.
The Rams' offense will challenge that, though. Sean McVay loves to line up with multiple tight ends on the field, using receiver Puka Nacua almost like an extra tight end at times. If Emmanwori isn't up to the task, Los Angeles could be set to take advantage of Seattle's lack of linebackers on the field by simply overpowering them.
But the rookie's importance in this game goes far beyond his ability to stop the run. He'll often be lined up across from Nacua, who does plenty of his work from the slot. That matchup could become the determining factor in this game.
If the young safety can keep up his current level of play, the league will finally see why Seahawks fans have been singing his praises.