Seattle Seahawks rookie defensive back Nick Emmanwori is getting another major odds move in the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year market, and it’s the kind of update that signals sportsbooks see this as a real, late-season chase.
Across major sportsbooks, Emmanwori is now being priced as the clear No. 2 behind Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, with some books showing the race tightening in a way it simply wasn’t earlier this month.
On FanDuel, Emmanwori is listed at +550, behind Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger (-550). DraftKings also has Emmanwori at +195, with Schwesinger -240. BetMGM’s current framing calls it a two-horse race, listing Emmanwori +220.
Sportsbooks slash Emmanwori’s DROY number again
This isn’t just “Seahawks rookie getting buzz.” It’s a measurable move.
Earlier this month, Heavy noted Emmanwori was sitting at +700 at DraftKings while the Falcons game pushed his national profile. Now, major books have him in the +195 to +550 range. It signals increased confidence that he’s in the conversation all the way to the finish.
That doesn’t mean the award is “his to lose.” Schwesinger remains the favorite. But it does suggest that one more loud, nationally obvious moment can change the feel of the race quickly, especially in a prime-time-style spot like a Thursday night game.
Why Emmanwori Is Still in the Race
Emmanwori’s case is simple: production, visibility, and versatility.
In the Seahawks’ secondary, he’s been around the ball enough to keep stacking the type of stats voters notice, including: 43 solo tackles, 11 passes defended, and 1 interception.
It also helps that this is an award built on snapshots as much as spreadsheets. Emmanwori is playing for a team competing for the No. 1 seed in its conference; Schwesinger is playing in a number of games where the Browns are getting blown out. Emmanwori is being praised for his ability to affect winning. Schwesinger is putting up stats on a 3-11 team.
Emmanwori’s moments feel like they matter more. A big pass breakup on fourth down. A red-zone pick. A tackle that forces a punt when the stadium is loud. Those are the moments that get replayed, and replayed moments become narratives.
What It Means for the Seahawks — and What Emmanwori Still Needs
From Seattle’s perspective, the urgency is built in. The next two games on the slate are Rams at Seahawks (December 18) and Seahawks at Panthers (December 28). A Thursday matchup is a spotlight game, and it’s exactly the kind of stage where one defining play can swing how voters “remember” the season.
If Emmanwori is going to jump a favorite, the path is usually the same: deliver one more signature highlight at the perfect time.
Think: a pick that flips a game, a forced fumble that seals a win, or a goal-line stop that becomes the clip everyone sees Sunday night.
One more thing to keep in mind: even when a race looks like a two-man board, sportsbooks can widen or tighten gaps rapidly based on injury news, a single breakout game, or a week where the favorite is quiet. So this isn’t just a “where the odds are today” story; it’s a “why the next 10 days matter” story, especially with Seattle’s schedule creating urgency.
Responsible note: Odds are informational and can change at any time; this isn’t betting advice.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Seahawks Get Huge Defensive ROY Odds Update on Rookie DB Before Rams Game appeared first on Heavy Sports.