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Cincinnati Bengals Bringing in Top Playmaker Nick Emmanwori for Visit Ahead of 2025 NFL Draft

The Bengals could use another playmaker on defense. Emmanwori would make sense.

James Rapien

Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori (DB40) and Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron (DB04) look on during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori (DB40) and Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron (DB04) look on during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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CINCINNATI — The Bengals are bringing in South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori for a visit according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic.

Emmanwori is projected to be a first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft next month. The Bengals have the No. 17 overall selection.

The 21-year-old had 88 tackles (three for loss) and four interceptions for the Gamecocks last season. He returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns.

The Bengals should be considering playmakers like Emmanwori, Jihaad Campbell and Malaki Starks in the first round of the draft. There's been a lot of discussion about the trenches and rightfully so, but they have to add quality players to their roster.

If Emmanwori is the top player on their board when they're on the clock, then they should take him.

The possibility of taking a non-trench player early in the draft also means they should add to their team with multiple veterans in free agency.

Emmanwori tested in the 100th percentile at the NFL Combine last month. He's an elite athlete with high-end production and has the versatility to play free safety, in the box or at the nickel cornerback spot.

Combine that with his size (6'3," 220 pounds) and it's easy to see why the Bengals are intrigued by him and are bringing him in for a pre-draft visit.

For more on Emmanwori, check out his relative athletic score below:

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James Rapien
JAMES RAPIEN

James Rapien is the publisher of Bengals On SI. He's also the host of the Locked on Bengals podcast and Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube. The Cincinnati native also wrote a book about the history of the Cincinnati Bengals called Enter The Jungle. Prior to joining Bengals On SI, Rapien worked at 700 WLW and ESPN 1530 in Cincinnati

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