Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks agree on historic fully guaranteed rookie deal

The Seattle Seahawks and DB Nick Emmanwori have reach an agreement on a fully-guaranteed contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It marks the first time in NFL history that the No. 35 overall has signed a fully-guaranteed rookie deal.

Emmanwori’s deal was negotiated by Trevon Smith and David Mulugheta of Athletes First, per Schefter. According to Spotrac, the pick is valued at $11.6 million over four years, or $2.9 million per season.

This comes after both Carson Schwesigner and Jayden Higgins signed fully-guaranteed contracts as second-round rookies earlier this offseason. Schwesigner went 33rd overall to the Cleveland Browns while Higgins was selected 34th overall by the Houston Texans.

Now, all of the first three selections from the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft have been signed to guaranteed deals. This distinction was previously reserved for first-round draft choices only.

As of this report, all but one of the 32 players drafted in the first round of April’s annual event have signed their rookie contracts. Shemar Stewart, who played his college ball at Texas A&M, was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals 17th overall.

It’s clear that the Seahawks saw something in Emmanwori, as they traded up to draft him. The selection was originally owned by the Tennessee Titans before sending both the No. 52 and No. 82 overall selections in exchange for pick No. 35.

They made the selections following a stellar college career at South Carolina. Emmanwori is coming off of a strong junior season that saw him record 88 tackles and four interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown.

He was a unanimous first team All-SEC selection and also earned first team All-American honors according to AP, Sporting News, and the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Additionally, Emmanwori was also named to On3’s True Freshman All-American team in 2022 so the potential has always been there.

The 21-year-old safety finished his three-year college career having appeared in 37 games for the Gamecocks. During that stretch he finished with 244 tackles, six interceptions and 11 passes defended as a consistent member of the South Carolina defensive unit.

Emmanwori played high school football for Irmo (SC), where he was a four-star prospect coming out in the 2022 cycle. He ranked as the No. 325 overall player and No. 6 player from the state of South Carolina according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.