With the 17th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select..

[SunsetBengal]

Nick Emmanwori, Safety University of South Carolina.

Yeah, I know we need IOL; Yeah, I know that the defense could use help on the pass rush. But what this defense could benefit the most from immediately upon arrival is a lightning bolt that can both cover and tackle well. Nick Emmanwori adds a big body with blazing speed, touts the highest coverage grade and the lowest missed tackle rate (7.2%) by a lot, among all the top Safety prospects. He can play nearly as well in the box, but covers massive amounts of ground in a short period of time in deep coverage, and does a fine job of high-pointing the ball when he gets there. You want a day 1 starter who'll make an impact in year one? Nick Emmanwori is that guy.

If he's on the board at #17 and Duke doesn't break into a full sprint toward the podium, then something is more wrong than I ever thought with this franchise.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

I am down, get the game changing talent at 17. Kind of torn between Emmanwori and Walker at the moment, but would be more than
fine with either one. Emmanwori reminds me of Sean Taylor 2.0, big, fast, great instincts and can tackle with great range. We would have
a very intimidating Safety duo with Emmanwori and Battle. Physicality baby.

[SunsetBengal]

(03-17-2025, 08:13 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I am down, get the game changing talent at 17. Kind of torn between Emmanwori and Walker at the moment, but would be more than
fine with either one. Emmanwori reminds me of Sean Taylor 2.0, big, fast, great instincts and can tackle with great range. We would have
a very intimidating Safety duo with Emmanwori and Battle. Physicality baby.

Are there other guys out there who could benefit the Bengals defense this year? Sure there are. I just like this player, as the defense has never looked good since Jesse Bates was fatefully allowed to walk out that door.

[sandwedge]

I want this guy in stripes next year! Emmanwori would take this defense up to middle of the pack. OG in the 2nd rd. DT in the 3rd, LB in the 4th

[schroomytunes]

I too concur!!! I think Emmanwori is the missing thumper this defense needs in the secondary. I think he will be a game changing safety.

For me:

1) Nick Emmanwori- S (SC)

2) Tate Ratledge- G (Georgia)

3) Omar Norman Lott- DT (Tenn)

4) Tyler Baron- DE (Miami)

5) Jack Kiser- LB (ND)

6) Que Robinson- DE/Viper- (Alabama)

[Housh]

Mike Green is our guy. I could see 6-8 sacks year 1

[SunsetBengal]

Seems like the team does have some interest in Emmanwori, and that perfect 10.0 RAS to go along with his outstanding game film.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/cincinnati-bengals-bringing-in-top-playmaker-nick-emmanwori-for-visit-ahead-of-2025-nfl-draft/ar-AA1BfkzI?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=cefb80da0b5a498cb51784bf278fc02e&ei=11

Quote:CINCINNATI — The Bengals are bringing in South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori for a visit according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic.

Emmanwori is projected to be a first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft next month. The Bengals have the No. 17 overall selection.

The 21-year-old had 88 tackles (three for loss) and four interceptions for the Gamecocks last season. He returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns.

The Bengals should be considering playmakers like Emmanwori, Jihaad Campbell and Malaki Starks in the first round of the draft. There's been a lot of discussion about the trenches and rightfully so, but they have to add quality players to their roster.

If Emmanwori is the top player on their board when they're on the clock, then they should take him.

The possibility of taking a non-trench player early in the draft also means they should add to their team with multiple veterans in free agency.

Emmanwori tested in the 100th percentile at the NFL Combine last month. He's an elite athlete with high-end production and has the versatility to play free safety, in the box or at the nickle cornerback spot.

Combine that with his size (6'3," 220 pounds) and it's easy to see why the Bengals are intrigued by him and are bringing him in for a pre-draft visit.

[Goalpost]

His athletic ability shouldn't be ignored. So he is worth the time of an interview. Glad the Bengals are doing it.

[kalibengal]

(03-19-2025, 08:23 AM)Housh Wrote: Mike Green is our guy. I could see 6-8 sacks year 1

agreed, the more I see and read about this kid the more I like. He looks like a sure fire PRODUCER in rd 1 

[Clark W Griswold]

I have been thinking they could go S in round 1.
Right or wrong they may think that if Treys back they can get enough pass rush out of their young guys (Ossai and Murphy). They just took Murphy in the first a couple of drafts ago so I am thinking they won’t take an edge rusher in the first unless he is by far the BPA.

Emmanwori would be great but if Starks is also still available who do you take?

Emmanwori is a physical freak with as much talent and upside as anyone in this draft but I think Starks has been the better/more instinctive football player.
I would be happy with either but I know that Golden or any D coordinator would love to have an athlete like Emmanwori.

[*Synric*]

It's hard for me to move off DL because of the massive need and the massive contracts. Bengals will need to off-set costs of their Offensive stars by drafting expensive positions like Edge and IDL.

[NATI BENGALS]

https://www.bengals.com/news/second-bengals-com-media-mock-draft-of-2025-races-to-find-an-afc-north-fit

"17.BENGALS: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina; Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com"

He was Hobson's latest pick. In the media mock. 
 
I've been a fan of Emmanwori since draft season started. His ceiling is best safety in the league. His floor is Taylor Mays   

He has all the talent in the world. It's all about what's between the ears though. If he is a smart, hungry, motivated, team player I think he would be a major asset. 

[SunsetBengal]

(03-26-2025, 01:41 AM)NATI BENGALS Wrote: https://www.bengals.com/news/second-bengals-com-media-mock-draft-of-2025-races-to-find-an-afc-north-fit

"17.BENGALS: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina; Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com"

He was Hobson's latest pick. In the media mock. 
 
I've been a fan of Emmanwori since draft season started. His ceiling is best safety in the league. His floor is Taylor Mays   

He has all the talent in the world. It's all about what's between the ears though. If he is a smart, hungry, motivated, team player I think he would be a major asset. 

I like Emmanwori and think that he would be a good fit and settle in fairly quickly. Sure, there are a few things about his decision making that need tweaked, but if you look hard enough, you can find at least one thing about even the top 5 players' games that could use a little improvement. The nice thing is that Emmanwori's "warts" seem to be coachable items, his assets like his size, speed and athleticism are things that just cannot be improved simply by coaching.

Edit: However, since Hobson listed him as his pick? You know that means the Colts, Falcon's or Cardinals will likely take him.

[Essex Johnson]

(03-17-2025, 07:29 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Nick Emmanwori, Safety University of South Carolina.

Yeah, I know we need IOL; Yeah, I know that the defense could use help on the pass rush. But what this defense could benefit the most from immediately upon arrival is a lightning bolt that can both cover and tackle well. Nick Emmanwori adds a big body with blazing speed, touts the highest coverage grade and the lowest missed tackle rate (7.2%) by a lot, among all the top Safety prospects. He can play nearly as well in the box, but covers massive amounts of ground in a short period of time in deep coverage, and does a fine job of high-pointing the ball when he gets there. You want a day 1 starter who'll make an impact in year one? Nick Emmanwori is that guy.

If he's on the board at #17 and Duke doesn't break into a full sprint toward the podium, then something is more wrong than I ever thought with this franchise.

Im not a fan at#17 for a safety, don;t feel there is a clear top 20 Safety and feel a bit of a reach pick at #17 but if we do i feel a bit more risk/reward in  Emmanwori and would prefer Starks from Georgia, feel he is the more well rounded safety and with a team that has struggled in tackling and being out of position to make plays, those are two areas where he is deemed stronger than Emmanwori, the depth at #17 is edge rusher and gut says this is where we go but i prefer to trade back, i think some of edge guys and one or both of these safeties will be there in the 20s.

[*bengalfan74*]

(03-26-2025, 07:50 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I like Emmanwori and think that he would be a good fit and settle in fairly quickly. Sure, there are a few things about his decision making that need tweaked, but if you look hard enough, you can find at least one thing about even the top 5 players' games that could use a little improvement. The nice thing is that Emmanwori's "warts" seem to be coachable items, his assets like his size, speed and athleticism are things that just cannot be improved simply by coaching.

Edit: However, since Hobson listed him as his pick? You know that means the Colts, Falcon's or Cardinals will likely take him.

I get what you're saying Sunset. And don't get me wrong I'm not going to be throwing rotten veggies at the TV if we pick him but....

I'm just so worried our Dline is gonna stink the field up again next season and basically be our Achilles heel - AGAIN. I don't have a ton of faith in Murphy turning it around much. I'm afraid Trey will be gone in some way. Ossai is maxed out at a rotation level player. Sample is very questionable as far as ceiling IMHO. Hill is solid but what are Jackson and Jenkins....really? 

And I get the argument high round draft picks last season but...I still feel D especially Dline has to be a giant focus in the early draft rounds for this team. And if a higher level prospect DE or even DT is there at 17, that's where my pick would be. 

BTW, we got gashed giving up big runs last season as well while our Dline was getting ragdolled. But on the other hans Stone was a statue on a lot of those runs as well.

I'm just not sold that our defense got fixed those last 6 games or whatever.

Rant off

[sandwedge]

(03-26-2025, 10:14 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: I get what you're saying Sunset. And don't get me wrong I'm not going to be throwing rotten veggies at the TV if we pick him but....

I'm just so worried our Dline is gonna stink the field up again next season and basically be our Achilles heel - AGAIN. I don't have a ton of faith in Murphy turning it around much. I'm afraid Trey will be gone in some way. Ossai is maxed out at a rotation level player. Sample is very questionable as far as ceiling IMHO. Hill is solid but what are Jackson and Jenkins....really? 

And I get the argument high round draft picks last season but...I still feel D especially Dline has to be a giant focus in the early draft rounds for this team. And if a higher level prospect DE or even DT is there at 17, that's where my pick would be. 

BTW, we got gashed giving up big runs last season as well while our Dline was getting ragdolled. But on the other hans Stone was a statue on a lot of those runs as well.

I'm just not sold that our defense got fixed those last 6 games or whatever.

Rant off

I would think a player like Emmanwori would help fix what you are worried about 74. Fast, good read and react, has a ton of range and a pretty good tackler to boot. I feel more confident in not sucking at stopping the run with Slaton onboard. Plus Wilson will be back.

[sandwedge]

(03-26-2025, 01:41 AM)NATI BENGALS Wrote: https://www.bengals.com/news/second-bengals-com-media-mock-draft-of-2025-races-to-find-an-afc-north-fit

"17.BENGALS: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina; Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com"

He was Hobson's latest pick. In the media mock. 
 
I've been a fan of Emmanwori since draft season started. His ceiling is best safety in the league. His floor is Taylor Mays   

He has all the talent in the world. It's all about what's between the ears though. If he is a smart, hungry, motivated, team player I think he would be a major asset. 

He is pretty smart according to that article you posted. 

[SunsetBengal]

(03-26-2025, 10:14 PM)sandwedge Wrote: He is pretty smart according to that article you posted. 

He also has the lowest missed tackle rate of any of the top Safeties in the draft, by a pretty good margin.

[Essex Johnson]

(Yesterday, 07:30 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: He also has the lowest missed tackle rate of any of the top Safeties in the draft, by a pretty good margin.

This is considered a very weak group of safeties but a very strong edge group, i rather draft an edge rusher at #17 than reach for safety , hoping the bengals do the same or trade back pic safety later in 1st round and get extra pick.

[sandwedge]

(Yesterday, 09:11 AM)Essex Johnson Wrote: This is considered a very weak group of safeties but a very strong edge group, i rather draft an edge rusher at #17 than reach for safety , hoping the bengals do the same or trade back pic safety later in 1st round and get extra pick.

I don't think it's a reach at 17, I have actually seen him gone by the time it's our turn to pick. DEs this year are just meh IMO. They are all the same basically, nobody but Carter really stands out. I would be more interested on a DT who could rush in the 3rd.