High-Profile Mock Draft Says a “Freak” for Vikings
Would you like a freak on the back end of the Minnesota Vikings’ defense?
High-Profile Mock Draft Says a “Freak” for Vikings
If so, one mock draft is just the edition for you, courtesy of The Athletic‘s Bruce Feldman, who publishes just one mock draft per cycle and just so happens to publish a “Freaks List” of rookies, too.
Feldman says his standalone annual mock is “based on all the intel I’ve gathered from speaking to dozens of college coaches and NFL sources during the past two months.”
And from that insight, Feldman chose South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori for the Vikings in Round 1.
Nick Emmanwori (S) Says Bruce Feldman
Notably passing on Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant per Feldman’s mock, Minnesota invested 1st-Round draft capital in Emmanwori, a safety who’d evidently replace Camryn Bynum. The Indianapolis Colts signed Bynum three weeks ago.
“Minnesota has some terrific options here to bring in a young star safety to learn from Harrison Smith. I think the Vikings will go for the freak athlete Emmanwori from South Carolina over Georgia standout Malaki Starks,” Feldman wrote.
“The 6-3, 220-pound Emmanwori put on an awesome display at the combine, vertical jumping 43 inches, broad jumping 11-6 and running a 4.38 40 with a 1.49 10-yard split to back up a staggering amount of production in the SEC. He made 88 tackles with four INTs and two pick sixes in 2024.”
The Vikings drafted safety Lewis Cine three years ago, a scourge on the organization and terrible opening salvo from general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. While it may be unfair, some fans might see the safety selection of Emmanwori and groan, solely because he’s “another 1st-Round safety.”
“Emmanwori gets compared to former Seahawks enforcer Kam Chancellor because of his size, but former Cardinals star Adrian Wilson, a five-time Pro Bowler, is a better comp, according to South Carolina DC Clayton White. White played at NC State with Wilson, who had similar size and was a more dynamic athlete than Chancellor,” Felman added.
“Inside the Gamecocks program, Emmanwori was known as ‘Nick the Eraser.’ As freakish as Emmanwori is, his coaches say the things that impress them most are his football IQ and ability to retain information.”
Emmanwori Biography
Emmanwori, a man who just turned 21 in February, is 6’3″ and 220, possessing prototypical size for a safety. Adofo-Mensah has shown an affinity for drafting 21-year-olds in Round 1, and Emmanwori fits the profile.
His 4.38 speed will delight Vikings fans and defensive coordinator Brian Flores while showcasing a nasty on-the-field attitude that ball carriers will despise. He’s also a magnificent coverage asset, especially for a safety, and can play the nickel cornerback spot.
Emmanwori is aggressive as hell and can be labeled a ball-hawk. There’s not much downside.
Short-Lived Promotion for Theo Jackson
Right before free agency kicked off, the Vikings extended Theo Jackson’s contract, a signal that the aforementioned Bynum would bolt in free agency. He did precisely that a few days later.
Well, unfortunately for Jackson’s sake, an Emmanwori draft pick would likely plop Jackson right back on the bench, as the Gamecock would climb the depth chart to a starting safety role before too long.
All Jackson-as-a-starter theories would’ve had a six-week shelf life in hindsight.
Life after Harrison Smith
Harrison Smith re-signed with the Vikings, too, back for Year No. 14. He’ll start no matter what, but soon, Smith will retire, and Minnesota will look down a depth chart that needs a starting safety.
Feldman’s mock draft would ease Smith into retirement without fears of a giant letdown at safety. In fact, he’d become the heir apparent that Lewis Cine never offered.
Minnesota may not have a 2025 roster need at safety, but without Emmanwori, it will have a safety need in 2026, rest assured.
The Emmanwori Alternative
Suppose Minnesota wants a safety from Round 1 in three weeks but doesn’t fancy Emmanwori, or a different team swipes the young defender. Georgia’s Malaki Starks is the “other” safety in this draft, a man who will likely fly off the board in Round 1 or early in Round 2.
Starks, however, is better at defending the run. Both have similar speed, but Emmanwori is a better commodity in pass coverage. It’s “choose your fighter” at safety.
Most Expect a Trade Back
Because the Vikings have just four draft picks in 2025 — they traded a peewee version of the farm for Dallas Turner last year — most ardent fans expect Adofo-Mensah to trade back from the No. 24 spot.
He could somewhat easily turn four picks into five and then five into seven. That’s what Adofo-Mensah does — trades like a fiend.
There’s a small chance that he could trade back and still draft Emmanwori, though sticking-and-picking at No. 24 is the only safe way to ensure Emmanwori in purple.
The draft is 22 days away.
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