NFL Draft Buzz: Vikings Eye South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori as a ‘Dream Fit’ for 2025
After a $300 million spending spree, the Minnesota Vikings are reportedly setting their sights on South Carolina Gamecocks’ standout Nick Emmanwori ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
With the draft now less than a month away, speculation is ramping up, and Athlon Sports NFL analyst Luke Easterling believes Emmanwori would be a “dream fit” for the Vikings.
“An ideal scenario and dream fit for the Vikings, who add some much-needed draft capital in the middle rounds, and still land the player they should have taken at their original spot,” Easterling wrote. “Emmanwori is a rare athlete with the size, athleticism, range, and playmaking ability to wreak havoc in Brian Flores’ defense.”
Minnesota’s Offseason Moves & QB Dilemma
The Vikings have been one of the busiest teams this offseason, making significant roster moves. In just seven days in early March, they added or re-signed 14 players, racking up a staggering $300 million in transactions, per ESPN.
Amid the flurry of changes, questions remain about Minnesota’s quarterback situation. While the team has been linked to J.J. McCarthy, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed the uncertainty on March 26.
“Right now, given all of our scenario planning, we’re happy with our room,” Adofo-Mensah told NFL.com. “We’re going to talk a lot about J.J. McCarthy, but Brett Rypien is someone we brought in last offseason… better athlete than people give him credit for. We’re excited about him. And we’re always going to keep looking to see if we can upgrade that position, just like every other position.”
The Aaron Rodgers saga also looms large. The four-time MVP’s future remains uncertain, and when asked about the possibility of Minnesota pursuing him, Adofo-Mensah remained diplomatic.
“We got to a place where we just said, everybody was transparent, but right now we feel good about where we’re going,” he said. “It’s ultimately up to him what he decides to do with his future.”
Emmanwori Drawing Interest Across the NFL
While the Vikings appear to be heavily interested in Emmanwori, they aren’t the only team keeping tabs on the talented defensive back.
During South Carolina’s Pro Day, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander was spotted speaking with Emmanwori before drills, according to 247 Sports.
Additionally, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reported that the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, and Cincinnati Bengals have also expressed interest in the Gamecocks’ standout.
With multiple teams circling and the Vikings aggressively building their roster, Emmanwori’s draft stock is rising fast. Will he be the missing piece in Minnesota’s defense? The countdown to the 2025 NFL Draft is on.
