Draft Analyst Links Ravens to All-American Safety

It may not be at the very top of their to-do list, but the Baltimore Ravens would absolutely like to add to their safety room this offseason.

Kyle Hamilton and Ar'Darius Washington make for a formidable duo in the secondary, and the latter's ascension to the starting lineup marked a clear turning point for the Ravens' defense. The problem is that there's virtually no depth behind them. Not only is it tough to have only two regular safeties in a vacuum, but it restricts Hamilton's positional versatility, arguably his greatest strength.

Even with a clear need at the position, not many believe the Ravens will target a safety in the first round of the NFL Draft. However, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah believes there is one under-the-radar prospect that could be a perfect pick at No. 27: South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori.

"Emmanwori, if he was there, I would turn the card in," Jeremiah said on a conference call last week. "I think he would be a fun player for them to play with. He's big. He's physical. Plays more near the line of scrimmage. He makes a lot of plays buzzing underneath the ball, and he's a physical, firm tackler and an aggressive dude. I would be excited about that at the end of the first round."

A junior from Irmo, South Carolina, Emmanwori has a lot of traits that would make teams salivate. He's a big safety at 6-3 and 227 pounds, but he also has outstanding speed for his size. He's also a ballhawk, hauling in four interceptions and returning two of them for touchdowns this season en route to a first-team All-American selection.

One debate we’ve talked about on First Draft that I think will take place more as we get closer to the draft is whether South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori could be the first safety off the board.

A rare blend of size (6-foot-3, 227) and athleticism. Capable in coverage, team… pic.twitter.com/XJDBHdpUlB
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 22, 2025

There are some concerns with his game, namely his ability to defend against the run, but he's a very compelling prospect overall.

Emmanwori would not only be a great addition on his own, but open up the playbook for Hamilton and the defense as a whole. If he's available at No. 27, the Ravens should strongly consider taking him.

Make sure you bookmark Baltimore Ravens On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!