ESPN's Matt Miller makes lofty draft projection, NFL comparison for Nick Emmanwori

In the first round of his most recent two-round mock draft, ESPN analyst Matt Miller projected Nick Emmanwori to go No. 30 overall. However, he thinks the former South Carolina star’s ceiling is even higher – and he offered a lofty NFL comparison to prove his point.

Miller predicted Emmanwori to be one of the big risers during the NFL Scouting Combine, which gets underway next week from Indianapolis. His size and playmaking ability drew a comparison to Los Angeles Chargers star Derwin James, who earned second-team All-Pro honors this past season and is a two-time first team All-Pro selection.

If Emmanwori does a full workout at Lucas Oil Stadium, Miller said he can showcase his strength and stature to move up the NFL Draft board. He also could fit in to many defenses in the league and, as a result, jump into the Top 20.

“Write this one down. Nick Emmanwori, the safety from South Carolina. To give you an NFL comparison, this is Derwin James 2.0,” Miller said on SportsCenter Tuesday night. “He is 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and he looks and plays like he was created in a laboratory because at that size, he has run up to 23 miles per hour on GPS tracking. He has a 42-inch vertical jump, he has a 565-pound squat. Oh, and by the way, he can do 24 reps of 225 pounds. All those numbers are things we love to track and monitor at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“So I’m hoping and praying we get to see a full workout from the South Carolina true junior, who I think has a shot to be a Top-20 pick in this year’s first round once it’s all said and done. He is an ideal fit for so many teams that need that answer for tight ends and mobile quarterbacks at the safety position.”

Nick Emmanwori coming off huge season at South Carolina

Emmanwori was one of the anchors of South Carolina’s defense this past season as he became a first team All-American and All-SEC selection. He totaled a career-high 88 tackles, including three tackles for loss, along with four interceptions – including two pick-sixes.

Those numbers helped him become one of the top defenders to declare for the draft, and he continues to open the eyes of scouts in the league. That could lead to plenty of eyes on him at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“The assessment of Emmanwori’s tape could depend on which games you watch,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “He’s a physical specimen with rare size and outstanding speed, but he doesn’t always play with a ‘first to the action’ mentality in run support. When he gets it cranked up, he becomes a much more effective tackler and overall run stopper from sideline to sideline.

“He’s capable of playing over the top, inside the box or even matching up with pass-catching tight ends. He’s upright with average transition fluidity in coverage, but he has great recovery speed and uses his length to throw a blanket over the catch point. He has NFL traits and talent, so a boost in urgency could take him from a good starter to a great one.”