Kam and Emanworri have some similar traits and some dissimilar traits. Both occupied a hybrid linebacker/safety role although relative to passing downs, are used schematically different (Kam as a traditional safety and Eman used as a nickel corner). Kam is much stronger. Eman is lengthier, more agile, and angular. Eman is much better in man coverage and pursuit. Kam is much better with punishing physicality. Eman will use a running back move, the jump cut, to circumvent a pulling guard, although when forced otherwise, can also swim like a defensive tackle. Kam will simply plant his forearms into a pulling guard's chest and literally lift him off of his feet before discarding him to take on a ball carrier.
Kam needed to be developed his rookie season. Eman looks like a future gold jacket right out of the gate. I have watched every Seahawk season since the expansion year of 1976. I watched almost every game of Ken Easley's career. For at least two seasons, at least until Ronnie Lott transitioned from cornerback to safety, Ken Easley was the best strong safety in football and it wasn't really close. I think Eman can be better. Knowing what we know now, I'll bet that if the 2025 draft were to be done over, Eman would be a top 15 pick and closer to 10 than to 15. I have watched football for a long, long time and I can only recall two safeties that were instantly great, I mean really great, from day one. Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed. That is how I regard Eman. Instantly great on day one. I think he is the best pure defensive football player on the team. Smart, outstanding in coverage, disciplined relative to penalties, defeats blocks, sure tackler, just pops off of the screen. Just really, really good.
Ken Hamlin
