Nick Emmanwori is big, fast, and strong. Many have compared the Seattle Seahawks' rookie to Seattle legend Kam Chancellor. Both are around the same size (6'3" and 220 pounds) and have elite athleticism. Chancellor put the boom in the Legion of Boom.
In a recent talk with The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar, Emmanwori said he is fine with the comparison. How could he not be? Who would not want to be compared to a player who, had he not had his career ended early because of injury, might be a Pro Football Hall of Famer?
Not only does Emmanwori relish some saying he is the next Chancellor, but the Seahawks rookie safety believes he can be, too. In fact, he sees no reason why Seattle cannot create a Legion of Boom 2.0. He would fill the role of Chancellor, and maybe Riq Woolen or Devon Witherspoon would fill the role of Richard Sherman.
Seahawks rookie Nick Emmanwori quite content with Kam Chancellor comparisons
We don't know who might be the next Earl Thomas, though. Julian Love is a good player, but not as good as Thomas. Few safeties ever were concerning Thomas's early career.
What we do know is that general manager John Schneider made the perfect move by trading up from pick 52 in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft to number 35 to choose Emmanwori. Many 12s thought the team could take the safety in the first round, but luckily for the Seahawks, he fell in the draft.
Emmanwori told The Athletic, "I love those expectations (of being compared to Chancellor). But, of course, I’m going to make my own imprint on the league. We’re looking to recreate the Legion of Boom. Especially if I can fit in with the Kam Chancellor type of role."
The hope is that the young safety will not get too down if he does not immediately achieve Chancellor-like results in his first season. Being a rookie in the NFL is difficult for any position. One should not expect Emmanwori to be extremely good until year two.
Of course, by that time, who knows how Seattle's secondary will look? Woolen will be a free agent after the 2025 season, so the team might need to find his replacement. Safety Coby Bryant is also set for free agency next offseason.
The Seahawks might very well find themselves with an LOB 2.0, but that might not feature some of the players currently on the roster. Perhaps in three years, Emmanwori and Witherspoon will be impact players, but some as-yet-unknown Seattle players will also be making their bones.
One thing seems certain, however. Choosing Nick Emmanwori in the second round is likely a steal. Even if he comes close to being Kam Chancellor, the Seahawks are a winner.