The Seattle Seahawks are kings of the NFL until someone dethrones them next February. But when you draft and develop as well as the Seahawks have, paying players and letting go of players is an inevitable part of the process.

We saw that this offseason with cases like Kenneth Walker, who the Seahawks let walk, and JSN, who reset the WR market in Seattle. There is a chance that Nick Emmanwori does the same thing with the safety market when he’s eligible, and it will be due to one main reason.

Nick Emmanwori named one of the most versatile players in the league

“If Nick Emmanwori hadn’t fallen to the Seahawks in the second round, they likely wouldn’t have won the Super Bowl. The defense is full of difference-makers and the defensive tackle duo (Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy) is among the best — if not the best — in the league, but Emmanwori is the skeleton key to the best defense in the league. The Seahawks played more sub personnel (five or more defensive backs) than any team. Seattle didn’t mind mismatching its nickel against heavy personnel because Emmanwori evolved into a legitimate linebacker. Coach Mike MacDonald said they became a 4-3 base with a “crazy athletic sam” linebacker.”

“Even Emmanwori’s biggest fans couldn’t imagine him taking on offensive linemen and tight ends at the point of attack the way he did. His man-coverage skills translated seamlessly into the league as he blankets tight ends with his speed and size. This offseason, he said he’s been working on his pass-rush moves with DeMarcus Lawrence, and there are OTA clips of him working with the defensive line. With his physicality and athleticism, I don’t see why he can’t become a pass-rushing threat. One of the things I’m most excited about next season is watching how Emmanwori expands his game in Year 2.” – Ted Nguyen, The Athletic

Why Nick Emmanwori is in for a big payday either way

I don’t know if there is a single defender in the league who can play at all three levels of the defense, much less excel at all three levels, but we may be about to see that with Emmanwori. He will likely be paid as a defensive back, and that versatility will cost the Seahawks.

But he’s going to be worth every penny. The more multiple a defense can be, especially with a mastermind at the helm like Mike MacDonald, the better that team will be in the long run.