Why South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori Wasn’t Selected Day One of the NFL Draft

Nick Emmanwori entered the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the most intriguing and versatile safeties in the country. A former standout at South Carolina known for his physicality, intelligence, and leadership, Emmanwori had the kind of collegiate résumé that often gets defensive backs noticed early. But as the first round of the draft concluded and 32 names were called, his wasn’t among them. While some viewed his slide as surprising, others saw it as the result of a confluence of factors — from positional value to scheme fit and pre-draft evaluations.

To understand why Emmanwori didn’t hear his name called on Day One, we have to look beyond highlight reels and box scores. The NFL Draft is as much about projection as it is production, and in Emmanwori’s case, a handful of critical variables kept him just outside that elite first-round club.

1. Positional Value: Safety Often Falls Victim to Positional Economics

In today’s NFL, certain positions — quarterback, offensive tackle, edge rusher, and cornerback — dominate the early rounds because of their perceived impact on the modern passing game. Safeties, unless considered generational talents like Kyle Hamilton or Jamal Adams (pre-injury issues), are often pushed down the board.

Emmanwori is a talented safety, no doubt. But in a draft where offensive linemen and edge defenders flooded the top 20 picks, and a run on quarterbacks controlled the narrative, safeties were largely overlooked. Teams typically wait until Day Two to find value at safety, especially those not labeled as elite single-high prospects or freakish athletes.

2. Scheme Fit Concerns: Hybrid Skill Set Can Be a Double-Edged Sword

One of Emmanwori’s greatest strengths — his hybrid role at South Carolina — may have also worked against him in the draft process. Standing at 6-foot-3 and nearly 220 pounds, Emmanwori often played in the box, functioned as a linebacker in dime packages, and covered tight ends and slot receivers with relative ease. But to some scouts, that versatility blurred his true positional identity.

Was he a strong safety? A nickel linebacker? A box defender? Teams love chess pieces, but only if they know exactly how to use them. In interviews and workouts, Emmanwori reportedly fielded several questions about his ability to cover deep zones — a key skill for safeties in today’s split-field and quarters-based defenses.

Without a clearly defined NFL role, teams picking late in the first round may have opted for more traditional plug-and-play prospects.

3. 2024 Tape vs. 2023 Tape: A Slight Regression or Just Misunderstood?

Emmanwori burst onto the SEC scene in 2022 as a freshman phenom, immediately earning starts and delivering punishing hits, intelligent play, and instinctive reads. He followed up in 2023 with a strong campaign, but scouts noted a slight regression in 2024 — or at least some inconsistencies.

His tackling remained solid, and his communication on the backend was praised by South Carolina’s coaches, but his range in coverage and closing speed appeared a half-step slower at times. Whether this was due to nagging injuries, scheme changes, or simply a heavier workload, the 2024 film didn’t always reinforce his early-round value.

For teams investing first-round capital, recency matters. Emmanwori’s tape didn’t take him off boards — but it may have raised enough questions to drop him into Day Two territory.

4. The NFL Combine and Pro Day: Solid, But Not Spectacular

Pre-draft testing plays a major role in where prospects land, particularly for defensive backs who need to showcase elite athleticism. Emmanwori tested well at the NFL Combine — posting a respectable 40-yard dash, solid shuttle and three-cone times, and impressive bench press reps. But he didn’t post jaw-dropping numbers that elevated him into the freak-tier of athletic prospects.

In a draft class with athletic marvels like Cooper DeJean, Kamren Kinchens, and Calen Bullock, Emmanwori’s testing was viewed as adequate rather than elite. He excelled in interviews and positional drills, which will boost his standing on Day Two, but for first-round status, NFL teams often demand off-the-charts explosiveness or fluidity — especially from defensive backs.

5. Team Needs and Draft Board Runs: The Numbers Game

Sometimes, a player doesn’t fall because of who he is — but because of who he isn’t. On Day One, there was a clear emphasis on premium positions. Teams picking in the back half of the first round were often playoff-caliber rosters looking for specific fits. With only a handful of teams truly needing a safety with their first pick — and those that did perhaps preferring different skill sets — Emmanwori simply became a victim of the board.

Add in a deep group of second-round defensive backs, and teams likely felt they could wait until pick 33 or beyond to find value. It’s not a reflection of Emmanwori’s talent, but of draft board dynamics.

6. Intangibles and Interviews: A Bright Spot for Day Two

If there’s a category where Emmanwori consistently shined, it was in the interview room and team meetings. Coaches and GMs reportedly raved about his football IQ, leadership, and maturity. South Carolina’s staff openly referred to him as the “quarterback of the defense,” and opposing SEC offensive coordinators routinely accounted for his presence in game planning.

This leadership and high-character profile may not be enough to push a player into the first round, but it makes him incredibly attractive in the second — particularly to rebuilding teams or those in need of a culture-setter in the locker room.

7. Historical Precedents: Safety Value Has Always Been Volatile

To understand Emmanwori’s slide, it helps to look at precedent. In recent drafts, even well-regarded safeties like Brian Branch (2023) and Jevon Holland (2021) slipped into the second round, despite glowing evaluations. Teams tend to see safety as a value position, where future starters and even Pro Bowlers can be found well beyond pick 32.

Emmanwori is now in line to follow in that tradition — a Day Two pick with Day One impact potential. He may even land in a better overall situation as a result, potentially joining a team with playoff aspirations, where he can grow into a starting role alongside veteran mentors.

What Happens Next: Ideal Fits on Day Two

Now that Day One has passed, Emmanwori enters Day Two as one of the best remaining prospects on the board. Several teams could be ideal landing spots:

• New England Patriots (Pick 34 or 68): With a strong tradition of hybrid safeties and intelligent defensive play, the Patriots would value Emmanwori’s skill set and football acumen.
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Picks 51 and 84): Mike Tomlin loves physical defenders, and Emmanwori’s SEC pedigree and leadership would fit the Steelers’ culture perfectly.
• Detroit Lions (Pick 61): A team on the rise with an aggressive defensive identity. Emmanwori could contribute immediately in sub-packages while developing into a long-term starter.
• Atlanta Falcons (Pick 43): With a need at safety and new defensive leadership under Raheem Morris, the Falcons could prioritize a cerebral, multi-role safety like Emmanwori.

Not Picked, But Far From Forgotten

Nick Emmanwori may not have heard his name called on Day One of the NFL Draft, but that hardly diminishes his value or future impact. His slide into Day Two is the result of positional trends, team needs, and the razor-thin margins that separate Round 1 from Round 2 in a talent-rich draft.

For Emmanwori, it’s now about opportunity — landing in the right scheme, with the right coaches, and proving what he’s always known: that he belongs among the best. His journey at South Carolina was defined by quiet excellence, work ethic, and leadership. Those same traits will carry him into the NFL — regardless of when his name is called.

And when it is, expect him to make sure every team that passed on him wishes they hadn’t.

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