New Draft Crush Takes Center Stage for Vikings
Minnesota Vikings free agency is winding down, with the feverish pace of signings all but over.
New Draft Crush Takes Center Stage for Vikings
Minnesota notably added Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), Jordan Mason (RB, trade), Isaiah Rodgers (CB), Jeff Okudah (CB), and Rondale Moore (WR) in free agency in addition to re-upping with Aaron Jones (RB), Byron Murphy Jr. (CB), Theo Jackson (S), and Harrison Smith (S).
And now that onlookers have more clarity on the Minnesota’s long-term roster plan, a new rookie crush has taken center stage recently: South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori.
Who Is Nick Emmanwori?
Emmanwori just turned 21 last month and is 6’3″ and 220 pounds. He has prototypical safety size and isn’t a member of the new wave at safety that often features leaner players.
Emannwori currently lives on the Consensus Big Board at No. 26, which would perfectly fit Minnesota’s organic 24th position and safety need after Harrison Smith retires.
He must continue to hone his tackling technique, but generally speaking, Emmanwori is considered a freakish athlete, possibly music to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ ears.
The Draft Network‘s Keith Sanchez describes Emmanwori, “Emmanwori has the physical traits — size, length, and athleticism — to become an excellent tackler and reliable run defender. Improving the finer details of his approach to tackling will significantly elevate his performance.”
“Thanks to his size, length, and ball skills, Emmanwori is an exciting secondary prospect for NFL teams. With consistent improvements in his run defense and tackling, Emmanwori has the potential to develop into a highly reliable and productive player in the NFL.”
The Mock Drafts
NFL Spin Zone‘s Lou Scataglia recently mock-drafted Emmanwori to Minnesota at No. 24 and explained, “The Minnesota Vikings should draft for need in my opinion – they have a strong roster, are absolutely not rebuilding, and can focus on the weakest parts of their roster. I went with Nick Emmanwori, the physical safety from South Carolina. This could be an instant boost of aggression on the backend of Brian Flores’ defense.”
Clutch Point‘s Enzo Flojo did the same and wrote, “The Vikings should waste no time reinforcing their secondary, selecting South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori with their first-round pick. A high-upside prospect, Emmanwori’s draft stock comes with some risk.”
“However, his elite athleticism and playmaking ability hint at a ceiling comparable to Kerby Joseph. Of course, his inconsistent box play and raw technique raise concerns, drawing comparisons to Isaiah Simmons. He is a former first-rounder who has struggled to find a defined role in the NFL. What sets Emmanwori apart is his closing speed and natural instincts.”
Minnesota might have a rookie safety need because Camryn Bynum vamoosed for the Indianapolis Colts two weeks ago.
“These allow him to make plays all over the field. With the ability to function as a defensive chess piece, he gives Minnesota a versatile weapon to counter the NFC’s top-tier passing attacks,” Flojo concluded.
The Safety Roster Need
Heading in the draft — one month away — Minnesota possesses a decent safety group, though some will consider the Bynum loss a bit depressing.
These are Flores’ safeties currently connected to the roster:
- Harrison Smith
- Josh Metellus
- Theo Jackson
- Jay Ward
- Bubba Bolden
That can certainly carry the purple team through 2025, but a man like Emmanwori would hold down the fort following Smith’s soon-to-be retirement.
If Not Emmanwori … Who?
While Vikings’ roster needs are debatable, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah systematically crossed most off the list during the last two weeks. Free agency was kind to Minnesota.
If Adofo-Mensah does not select Emmanwori, the blossoming mock darling, these players represent the players most likely to land in Minnesota next month:
- Trey Amos (CB)
- Grey Zabel (iOL)
- Malaki Starks (S)
- Walter Nolen (DT)
- Tyler Booker (iOL)
- Jahdae Barron (CB)
- Kenneth Grant (DT)
- Derrick Harmon (DT)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)
- Maxwell Hairston (CB)
Minnesota could also get frisky on offense and draft a playmaker like Luther Burden III (WR), Colston Loveland (TE), or Omarion Hampton (RB).
The Vikings have just four picks heading into the draft, the fewest in the NFL this go-round.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.