The Minnesota Vikings are a well-built machine. The coaching staff is excellent, and the roster is outstanding. However, the best part of the team might be how well the coaches know how to put the players they have in the best positions. Sure, Justin Jefferson is a future Hall of Famer, but many of the other pieces fit the scheme.
The magic truly works when a player fits the scheme, but can augment it as well. Cam Bynum was productive for many seasons, but he left in free agency. Will he be as good with the Indianapolis Colts since he won't be in the Vikings' system? That remains to be seen.
What is clear is that Minnesota needs to find Bynum's long-term replacement, which must come in the 2025 NFL draft. One recent mock draft from Sayre Bedinger of NFL Spin Zone has the perfect player to not only take Bynum's roster spot but also augment the defense. Moreover, the safety would be a great fit in defensive coordinator Brian Flores's system.
Nick Emmanwori would be a great pick by the Vikings in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft
Flores is a master at sending quarterback pressure from the secondary. Bynum was good in coverage and a brilliant tackler, but he did not bring much pressure. In his four years with Minnesota, Bynum had two total pressures. This is why, if Bedinger is correct, Minnesota will be adding a more dynamic safety who can start right away.
Bedinger thinks that with the number 24 overall choice in the NFL draft, the Vikings will choose South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori. In terms of physicality and athleticism, Emmanwori closely resembles former Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor. The Gamecocks product is 6'3" and almost 230 pounds, and he ran a 4.38 40 at the 2025 NFL combine.
Last season with South Carolina, Emmanwori had four interceptions, so he isn't only excellent against the run, he can cover well, too. Plus, he played a lot of football in college (37 games over three seasons) so inexperience should not be an issue either. Emmanwori can step in on day one and start right away.
Just imagine, Vikings fan, what Flores will be able to do with Emmanwori. Maybe this won't come immediately as Flores will want the rookie to adjust to the speed of the league for a bit, but that only makes the safety more of a threat later in 2025.
Flores can better disguise fronts with Emmanwori, which should make the Vikings more dangerous in the playoffs. Not just in 2025, but in many years beyond. The next step would be finding a safety who can replace Harrison Smith and pair that player with Emmanwori.