Nick Emmanwori — NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

PROJECTED TRADE WITH BUFFALO BILLS

Minnesota could look at a cornerback here, but Emmanwori's value may be too good to pass up -- and the Vikings might have taken him if they'd stayed at No. 24. Stepping into the lineup at strong safety, this athletic freak also showed the quickness to play nickel while at South Carolina.

The Bills need some athleticism and speed at safety, so here comes the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Emmanwori, who was one of the stars of the scouting combine with a 4.38 40-yard dash and a 43-inch vertical. He would be a nice upgrade over what they have now, even though he's got some room to improve in terms of physicality.

The Falcons re-signed cornerback Mike Hughes in free agency, which at least stabilizes the starting positions there with the combination of Hughes and A.J. Terrell. The same can't be said at safety, where returning starter Jessie Bates, DeMarcco Hellams and Benny Sapp III were the only players on the roster — and Hellams and Sapp didn't play in 2024 — before the team reportedly agreed to terms with veteran Jordan Fuller.

Bringing Fuller aboard doesn't change the idea of looking for a long-term partner next to Bates. Taking Emmanwori over Georgia's Malaki Starks, who has been considered the top safety in this class for a while, will be controversial, especially for Atlanta because of its Bulldog neighbors. But his NFL Scouting Combine testing results (4.38 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical jump) and frame (6-3, 220 pounds) give him the kind of ceiling that might make it worth the risk. — Josh Kendall

With Harrison Smith entering Year 14, the Vikings go get a young safety with the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways.

Duke Tobin has served as the Bengals' director of player personnel and de facto general manager since 1999, earning a reputation for gambling on prospects with elite traits. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Emmanwori is among this year's most impressive athletes with the range and ball-skills to make opposing quarterbacks pay while attempting to keep up with the Bengals' explosive offense.

Emmanwori and Antoine Winfield Jr. can be a spectacular safety tandem in Tampa Bay. Electric athleticism and instincts galore.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels got some help by way of the Tunsil and Deebo Samuel trades, adding to an already impressive offense, but the Commanders didn't stop the run well last year. Emmanwori, who has played linebacker in the past, can help Washington have a more physically imposing defense. He can play at the line of scrimmage and back, showing tremendous athleticism at his size during the combine.

Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was an option here; he could kick inside to guard for Seattle. I also wouldn't discount the Seahawks finding a DK Metcalf replacement at wideout. But Emmanwori reminds me of Kyle Hamilton, whom Seattle coach Mike Macdonald worked with previously as the Ravens' defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023. We witnessed Emmanwori's speed (4.38 in the 40) and explosiveness (43 inches in the vertical jump) at the combine, and we saw his ball-hawking traits (four picks) last season. Emmanwori would help bolster an already strong secondary in Seattle.

Nick Emmanwori is exactly what the Bills need in their run defense: a rangy safety who can clean up messes left over by an aggressive yet undersized front seven.

Getting a freak athlete like Emmanwori to play on the back end opposite Antoine Winfield Jr. is an enticing opportunity for the Buccaneers.

If anyone knows how to make the most out of a weapon like this, it's Todd Bowles.