Less than a month until the NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings are seeking for a difference maker to help them get over the hump and into the Super Bowl.
Following a 14-3 season that concluded in the Wild Card round against the Los Angeles Rams, the Vikings spent nearly $300 million in free agency to add offensive and defensive talent. The main storyline is that the team let Sam Darnold sign with the Seattle Seahawks and show support for second-year guy J.J. McCarthy.
Minnesota has three weeks until the NFL Draft and needs to make a move to add depth to the secondary, defensive line, and offensive line. There could be one player in the secondary who is a game changer for the future.
Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports posted his first-round mock draft on Thursday, predicting that the Vikings will take South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori with the 24th overall pick. Emmanwori’s athleticism distinguishes him from the other candidates Minnesota may consider late in the first round.
“For months, this has been one of my absolute favorite team/player combinations. Emmanwori is a rare athlete with the size, athleticism, range, and playmaking ability to cause havoc all over the field, and who better to utilize his abilities than one of the league’s top defensive coordinators, Brian Flores.”
Last season was Emmanwori’s most productive in his three-year career, with career highs in tackles (88), interceptions (four), tackles for loss (three), and interceptions for touchdowns (two). Emmanwori shone at the NFL Combine, recording a 4.38 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical jump, 11-foot, 6-inch broad jump, and 20 bench press reps.
Flores may use Emmanwori in a variety of defensive schemes, since he can be deployed into coverage or loaded up against the run. Emmanwori’s versatility makes him an excellent substitute for Harrison Smith should he decide to retire.
Minnesota could get the steal of the draft if they can sign Emmanwori and develop him into a starter in year one or two.
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