With less than a month until the NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings are on the hunt for a game-changer to help them reach the Super Bowl. After a 14-3 season that ended in a Wild Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Vikings invested nearly $300 million in free agency to bolster both their offense and defense.
However, the biggest headline so far is the team’s decision to let Sam Darnold sign with the Seattle Seahawks while showing strong support for second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
As the draft draws closer, Minnesota is focusing on adding depth to their secondary, defensive line, and offensive line. One player who could be a future game-changer is South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, who Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling has the Vikings selecting with the 24th overall pick in his first-round mock draft. Emmanwori’s exceptional athleticism sets him apart from other players the Vikings could choose later in the first round.
Nick Emmanwori,Easterling notes that Emmanwori is a rare talent, with the size, range, and playmaking ability to be a major disruptor on the field. “Who better to help unlock his potential than one of the league’s best defensive coordinators, Brian Flores?” he writes. Emmanwori had a breakout season last year, setting career-highs in tackles (88), interceptions (four), tackles for loss (three), and touchdowns from interceptions (two).
His standout performance at the NFL Combine, which included a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, a 43-inch vertical jump, an 11-foot-6 broad jump, and 20 bench press reps, has only added to his stock. Flores could use Emmanwori in a variety of defensive schemes, whether in coverage or as a run stopper. His versatility makes him an ideal successor to Harrison Smith when the veteran eventually retires. If the Vikings manage to draft Emmanwori, they could be getting a potential steal and developing him into a starter within his first two years.
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