Seahawks’ Emmanwori proving ‘there’s nothing he can’t do’

Over the course of his sensational rookie campaign this fall, Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori has lived up to his draft hype as a versatile chess piece who can make plays all over the field.

As it turns out, that even extends to special teams.

Where Seahawks stand in NFC playoff picture

Midway through the second quarter on Sunday, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Emmanwori came racing off the edge on a 50-yard field goal attempt by Atlanta kicker Zane Gonzalez.

Emmanwori closed the distance with stunning speed and launched himself in front of Gonzalez with a full-extension dive, using every bit of his lengthy frame to get his right hand on the ball for a spectacular blocked kick.

It was a highlight-reel play that had been brewing for several weeks, Emmanwori and head coach Mike Macdonald both noted.

“If you look on film the past couple weeks, I’ve been close to blocking a field goal in every game,” Emmanwori said after Seattle’s 37-9 rout of the Falcons. “Me and (assistant special teams coach Devin Fitzsimmons), we’ve just been working on it in practice, my get-off, and just trying to find the best technique I can use to win.”

Not on his watch. 🚫#ProBowlVote + @Eman7Nick

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/ThlSGHipQB

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 7, 2025

Emmanwori’s field-goal block was only the beginning.

Later in the second quarter, Emmanwori shot through a gap, flew into the backfield and upended running back Tyler Allgeier for an impressive tackle for loss.

In the third quarter, Emmanwori came up with his first career interception by making a diving snag off a pass that was deflected by teammate Devon Witherspoon.

And in the fourth, Emmanwori raced through a gap on a blitz and brought down quarterback Kirk Cousins for the first full sack of his career.

In doing so, Emmanwori became the first player in franchise history and the first NFL player since 2010 to record a blocked field goal, an interception and a sack in the same game.

“Bro is playing his (expletive) off right now,” Witherspoon said. “There’s nothing he can’t do. I mean, he’s strong, he’s physical. I don’t know, it’s just a loss of words. But he had a (heck) of a game today.”

PICK 😈 First of his career. #ProBowlVote + @Eman7Nick

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/fW70YZxlSk

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 7, 2025

It wasn’t the first time Emmanwori has put up a rare stat line this season.

In Seattle’s Week 10 rout of the Arizona Cardinals last month, Emmanwori became just the fourth player in NFL history to record at least four pass breakups, nine tackles and 0.5 sacks in a game, according to Stathead.

For the season, Emmanwori has 1.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, an interception, nine pass breakups, 53 total tackles and a blocked field goal in 10 games.

And he’s done so while moving around as a safety-corner hybrid, unleashing his rare combination of size, speed and athleticism from a variety of different spots on the field.

“The things that Emman does out there – what he allows the defense to be in and the problems that he creates just in terms of the player that he is, how physical he is, his ability to cover, the athleticism to play man-to-man against whoever’s out there – it’s a very special thing,” Seattle wide receiver Cooper Kupp said.

That’s defense speaking. 🤫#ProBowlVote + @Eman7Nick

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/AuzgrugEfn

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 7, 2025

Macdonald said last week that the Seahawks have put a lot on Emmanwori’s plate this season as they try to figure out how best to maximize his Swiss Army knife skill set.

And at every turn, the 21-year-old second-round draft pick has risen to the occasion.

“Tremendous game,” Macdonald said. “He got one of the game balls. I’m really happy for him. He’s worked his tail off. He really has. He just does it every day. … He deserves it.”

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• Brock on Seattle Seahawks: ‘This was my favorite Sam Darnold game’
• Stacy Rost: Warts and all, Seahawks keep playing like one of NFL’s best
• Observations from Seattle Seahawks’ runaway win over Falcons
• Instant Reaction: Seahawks dominate again in 37-9 win over Falcons
• Watch: Shaheed sparks Seattle Seahawks with 100-yard kick return TD

Related

Ex-Seahawks RB Chris Carson joins Redmond H.S. coaching staffNFC West Check-In: 49ers have several scuffles at joint practice with TitansStacy Rost: 3 ways the Seahawks can still improve in 2026Seahawks on ‘Hard Knocks’: What stood out from episode 2NFC West Check-In: Puka Nucua hurt, Myles Garrett held out of Rams’ joint practiceEx-Seahawks safety Coby Bryant out 4-6 months after surgery