A pair of recent mock drafts have the Indianapolis Colts going off-script with the 14th overall pick and taking a safety.
Reese Decker's latest mock draft for Pro Football Network had the Colts taking South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, as did Mason Cameron from Pro Football Focus.
Here is what Cameron had to say about the selection:
"It’s no surprise that Colts general manager Chris Ballard values high-level athletes with elite traits. Does any prospect better fit that build than Emmanwori? While Indianapolis' defense already houses a solid option at safety in Nick Cross, Emmanwori’s 86.8 PFF coverage grade, if he can reproduce it in the NFL, would be a significant improvement and a better pairing with new signee Camryn Bynum."
Even with the addition of Cam Bynum, safety depth remains a need for the Colts. Currently on the roster at that position group is Bynum, Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas, Daniel Scott, and Marcel Dabo.
Also, to Cameron's point, in a perfect world, competition for Cross wouldn't be a bad thing.
However, as we know, the draft and roster-building in general in the NFL isn't perfect. There are only so many resources, whether it be cap space or draft capital to go around, and with the addition of Bynum, I don't think the Colts can justify a first-round pick on a safety, given the needs they have at tight end, linebacker, the offensive line, and the defensive line.
Emmanwori tested extremely well at the NFL combine, which included posting a perfect Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 10.00.
On the field, he's played over 2,300 snaps these last three seasons with the majority of them coming closer to the line of scrimmage, either in the box or in the nickel, according to PFF.
In this most recent season, Emmanwori was a reliable tackler, making 90 of 97 attempts. As a coverage defender, he held pass catchers to only 8.3 yards per catch with four interceptions and three pass breakups.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Colts take safety Nick Emmanwori in recent mocks
