Everyone was excited to see Seattle Seahawks rookie defensive back Nick Emmanwori in Thursday’s preseason opener versus the Las Vegas Raiders. The game ended in 23-23 tie as the Raiders mounted a second-half comeback. The full range of Emmanwori’s capabilities were not on display.
The rookie second-round pick out of South Carolina played 11 total defensive snaps. Emmanwori played the majority of his snaps as a nickel defensive back. It offered brief insight into Mike Macdonald’s potential plans for the first-year playmaker.
Emmanwori was the only Seahawks’ starter on the team’s second defensive series. He was seen wincing and moving around with some discomfort after one play in particular, but did not immediately exit the game. And just plays later, Emmanwori chased down Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty for a tackle as a blitzing nickel off the edge.
Emmanwori has been among the Seahawks’ most impressive performers at training camp. His 11-play showcase in Thursday’s preseason Week 1 contest offered a little insight into how Coach Macdonald envisions using his sideline-to-sideline rookie this season. Emmanwori didn’t make any splash plays, but the expectation is they’ll arrive in bunches this season.