The Seattle Seahawks ended weeks of speculation about their QB situation with a bold move in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Instead of picking a quarterback prospect, they traded up to select Nick Emmanwori, a standout safety from South Carolina, with the 35th overall pick in the second round. This aggressive decision signals the team’s confidence in their current quarterback setup despite the ongoing controversy.
Seattle Shuts Down QB Talk With Aggressive Move for Nick Emmanwori
Leading up to the draft, there was a lot of talk about the Seattle Seahawks possibly picking a quarterback. After trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and signing Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal, many thought the team might draft a young quarterback to develop behind Darnold.
But the Seahawks had other plans. In true Seahawks fashion, they ignored the noise and traded up in the second round to draft Nick Emmanwori, a tough and talented safety from South Carolina.
Emmanwori had a standout 2024 season with 88 tackles, four interceptions, and three tackles for loss, earning All-SEC honors. His physical style and versatility made him a perfect fit for Seattle’s defense. This pick wasn’t disastrous by any means; it just wasn’t what the team was falling behind on.
🚨 What a pleasant surprise! Seahawks trade No. 52 and 82 to Tennessee for No. 35.
With the 35th pick in the NFL Draft the Seahawks select South Carolina Safety Nick Emmanwori. pic.twitter.com/9IkgaWFRhs
— Seattle ON Tap (@SeattleONTap) April 25, 2025
Many people anticipated that Seattle would select Shedeur Sanders, particularly after his surprising omission in the first round. It seemed like a golden opportunity for fans who knew what their team needed.
But head coach Mike Macdonald and GM John Schneider had a different vision. They chose to double down on defense, showing full faith in Sam Darnold as their starting quarterback. This aggressive move shows their commitment to building a strong defense under head coach Mike Macdonald, who is entering his second season.
IT’S DRAFT NIGHT: Top 300 Prospects — Get Your Free Printable 2025 NFL Draft Big Board
Now that Emmanwori is on the team, the Seahawks will likely focus on other needs in the later rounds. Still, skipping a top-tier quarterback prospect like Sanders will keep the debate alive in Seattle.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!Despite rumors that Seattle would select a QB in the 2nd Round of the 2025 NFL Draft, they went the other way and selected South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori.
