Ugo

Amadi

Amadi was initially drafted by the Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. After three seasons in Seattle, Amadi spent 2022 with the Chiefs and Titans before joining the Saints for 2023, where he primarily played special teams. He now re-signs for 2024, reinforcing depth behind Tyrann Mathieu.

Amadi (5’9/199) made 34 starts in the Ducks’ secondary, tallying 9.5 career TFLs with 33 pass breakups, eight picks, and four forced fumbles. Amadi won the 2018 Lombardi Award as college football’s top player based on “performance and leadership honed by character and resiliency.” Unfortunately, Amadi managed 12th-percentile SPARQ results at the Combine with 4.51 speed and a sluggish 7.21 three-cone time. A good college player lacking NFL-caliber traits, Amadi best projects as a gung-ho special teamer. The Hawks also added lightning-quick S Marquise Blair to compete in their secondary on Day Two.

“He has good football character and good leadership. He’s smart on and off the field,” the scout also told Zierlein. With regard to the safety’s on-field fit, the scout opined that Amadi (5'9/199) lacks the “juice” needed to serve as a full-time slot cornerback. During his time at Oregon he displayed solid ball skills, and was also given the opportunity to contribute in the return game. Amadi put up solid athletic testing numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he’ll have another opportunity to make a positive impression at Oregon’s Pro Day.

Amadi’s time is solid for a safety, and the rest of his athletic testing could best be described is average or below. His three-cone drill was second-to-last behind Marshall’s Malik Gant, but the 4.19 second 20-yard shuttle was a much more respectable ninth among safeties. Amadi’s size is going to likely limit him to a nickel, but he showed just enough athleticism on Monday to suggest he has a chance to stay there.

Amadi wins the award over fellow finalists Notre Dame cornerback Julian Love, Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew, Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, Kansas State offensive tackle Dalton Risner, Alabama offensive tackle Jonah Williams, and Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. The award is given by the Lombardi foundation to the top FBS player based on performance, leadership, character, and resiliency. He finished the season with 55 tackles, three interceptions and 1.5 sacks.