Seahawks rookie Nick Emmanwori does it all without being spread too thin

"SAN JOSE It hasn't showed up as a prop bet yet, but a good one would be gambling on where Seahawks rookie Nick Emmanwori will line up on the first play of Super Bowl 60 Sunday against the New England Patriots. Seattle coach Mike Macdonald knows, but he's not saying. Seattle defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence admits he is sometimes confused. I'll look down the line sometimes and say, Bro, why are you so close to me?' Lawrence said Wednesday at the San Jose Convention Center."

"It will be a primary focus of New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on how to deal with Emmanwori when the Patriots (17-3) face the Seahawks (16-3) in this year's Super Bowl at Levi's Stadium. If it's not one of Emmanwori's occasional snaps as an edge rusher, it could be at any one of the three levels of defense. He's played slot corner, linebacker and safety, often in the same game. Everything he does just jumps off the tape, Seattle cornerback Devon Witherspoon said."

"At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Emmanwori is in the running to be the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year, although a high ankle sprain four snaps into his Week 1 debut against the 49ers could push the award toward Cleveland linebacker Carson Schwesinger or Atlanta edge rusher James Pearce Jr. Early indications are a rookie of the year honor is small potatoes as opposed to what could come in future years."

Nick Emmanwori lines up unpredictably across multiple defensive positions, creating matchup confusion for opponents and teammates. Seattle coach Mike Macdonald is withholding details of Emmanwori's planned usage. New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels must prepare for Emmanwori's snaps as an edge rusher or at any of three defensive levels. Emmanwori has played slot corner, linebacker and safety within single games. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he is a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate despite a high ankle sprain four snaps into his Week 1 debut. In 14 games with 11 starts he recorded 81 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, nine tackles for loss and an interception. Teammates predict potential for future Defensive Player of the Year honors.

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