Just wait until Nick Emmanwori fully understands what it means to be an NFL player. He is already terrific, and his rookie season has not been as tough as it is for many players, but the Seattle Seahawks safety is probably only going to get better. Maybe a lot better.
But Emmanwori did make a special play in Week 12 in the first half that maybe only he could have made. Seattle's opponent, the Tennessee Titans, were facing a third-and-long as the Seahawks were attempting to put the game away early, when speedy running back Tyjae Spears got the ball, reversed his course, and began running across the field.
Instead of an easy stop, Spears appeared on the verge of creating an explosive play that might have ended in a first down. The run would have given the Titans a huge confidence boost and might have switched momentum to Nashville's team.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has high praise for Nick Emmanwori again
Instead, Emmanwori, who was initially lost in traffic as the play developed, weaved his way around would-be blockers, chased Spears like the safety was a bear in the woods about to take down his prey, and tackled Spears from behind, stopping the running back short of a first down.
The play was the kind that coaches would show their teams on how to give full-on effort and be productive. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald certainly noticed.
Asked about Emmanwori's play after the game, Macdonald said, "It's funny, as soon as he reversed field, I said, 'Nick (Emmanwori), go get him,' because he's the only guy that has a chance to go get him. But that's our defense. Just defend a blade of grass. We want to play relentlessly. Nick does that."
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When the Seattle Seahawks moved up to take Nick Emmanwori in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, the team was hoping the extremely athletic player would be able to be moved around the defensive alignment, be disruptive, and help disguise looks. The rookie has done it one better: No matter where he is lined up, he's been very good.
In Weeks 7 through 11, Emmanwori allowed just 14 receptions on 25 targets with one touchdown, but with six passes broken up. He also had six quarterback pressures in those games, while having 11 run stuffs on the season. In Week 12, the safety had eight tackles.
While Nick Emmanwori is truly a player who can align anywhere from linebacker to safety, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) has him graded as a cornerback. Through Week 11, he is the 10th-highest-graded corner in the NFL.
Most likely, Nick Emmanwori is only going to get better for the Seattle Seahawks. He might not be a replica of Kam Chancellor, but a great hybrid of Chancellor and Earl Thomas. That is going to help win a lot of games.