Seahawks blink first in rookie contract standoff, agree to historic deal and pass the guarantee battle to other front offices

Emmanwori's fully-guaranteed contract marks the first time in NFL history that the 35th overall selection will receive 100 percent of the value guaranteed at signing. The decision to concede on this front gets Seattle locked in with a player they clearly had a vision for, given that Seattle traded up from the 52nd overall selection to jump to 35 overall and turn in the card. 

It also passes the buck to the Cleveland Browns, who have troubled running back Quinshon Judkins left to sign. Then it's the Miami Dolphins with offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea. What each of those teams ultimately does will be interesting to watch — but the Seahawks can collectively exhale for having this lingering saga behind them. 

Emmanwori and his camp achieved their multi-month objective in securing an unprecedented concession thanks in part to an assist from their NFC West rival down the coast. San Francisco locked in Alfred Collins, the 43rd overall pick, last night with 88% of his contract value fully guaranteed — a high enough figure far enough down the draft order to make this outcome for the Seahawks inevitable. 

It will now be up to Emmanwori to live up to the commitment and earn snaps in what is a highly talented secondary. Head coach Mike Macdonald's scheme should find ways to implement the rookie from South Carolina similarly to how Kyle Hamilton was used under Macdonald in Baltimore — but such a lofty role could come only progressively. It makes Emmanwori being under contract for the start of camp that much more important.