Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is Old and New School

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Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren ain’t playing around.

It’s in his eyes.

He’s mean.

He’s violent.

McNeil-Warren isn’t one of these run-of-the-mill safeties who are out there trying to keep their jersey clean (the type of safety who I can’t stand watching).

Nope.

Not this guy.

I grew up in the 80s watching NFL safeties like Ronnie Lott, Alvin Walton, and Chuck Cecil lay people out. It’s been a minute since I’ve seen a safety like McNeil-Warren.

What’s one of the most interesting things about him?

Although McNeil-Warren hits like a hammer, I didn’t see one personal foul called against him. They even reviewed a couple of his kill shots for “targeting,” but they couldn’t find any fault upon further review. They were ruled clean hits.

That’s right ⎯

He knows how to do it to fit today’s rules.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.

Vs. NIU (2025) pic.twitter.com/HeH2FLAxVl

— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) March 31, 2026

McNeil-Warren in pass coverage

Lines up at:

• Deep center field
• Down low in the box
• Over the slot receiver

Yes ⎯

McNeil-Warren offers a lot of game planning and play-calling flexibility, which is another added plus ➕

When’s McNeil-Warren at his best?

When he keeps the game in front of him.

When’s McNeil-Warren at his worst?

When he lets the game get behind him.

But I will say this ⎯

He did look better and better in pass coverage (including passes that got behind him) as the season progressed 📈

McNeil-Warren against the run

My nickname that I’m coining for McNeil-Warren is “TKO.” It’s a boxing term that stands for “Technical knock out.”

That sums it up ⎯

McNeil-Warren attacks the line of scrimmage. He plays the run hard. Really hard.

He even made a few tackles for a loss.

Disruptive

This is just part of his charm ⎯

2025:

• 6 passes defended
• 0.5 sacks
• 3 forced fumbles
• 2 interceptions

Toledo Safety #7 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren causing the turnover.

Vs. Western Michigan (2025) pic.twitter.com/tE8e1ybOOL

— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) March 31, 2026

Biggest weaknesses

McNeil-Warren is a “needs to see it to believe it” safety.

What does that mean?

Exactly like it sounds. McNeil-Warren scores low in the department of instincts and anticipation (to say it nicely). This is why it’s important in the scheme he plays in that they keep things in front of him. He has a bad habit of not moving in a certain direction until the quarterback declares or has declared his throwing direction, and by then it’s too late. He doesn’t have the speed to make up the difference (NFL.com 4.52 40-yard dash).

I believe this is why his coaches kept him mostly confined schematically to covering the short-to-intermediate route levels (0-19 yards) on film.

Being a “needs to see it to believe it” safety, also means he bites on play-action fakes and on misdirection.

Another thing ⎯

McNeil-Warren missed a handful of tackles in 2025. The main issue is when he tried to take it on from the side instead of head-on.

NFL projection

There are pluses and minuses to every prospect, but here’s the reality of it:

McNeil-Warren will change the complexion of some lucky NFL team’s defense. He’s the type of player who’s going to be doing one of two things:

1. Making plays

-or-

2. Making opponents think twice about running or catching the ball when he’s around.

Who does McNeil-Warren remind me of?

Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater.

There, I said it.

#7 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren 6-foot-3 1/2, 201 pounds (NFL.com)

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2026 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First Round prospect as of April 8, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Morgan State, Western Michigan, Akron, Bowling Green, Kent State, Washington State, Northern Illinois, Miami-Ohio, Ball State, Central Michigan, and Louisville (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Aggressive read-and-react safety. Muscular athletic frame. Hunter. Good pre-snap communication shown. Doesn’t give up on a play. Sudden movements. Twitchy. Flexible. Physical. Tough. Sideline-to-sideline range. Disciplined. Hard and fast short-area close downhill. Tends to blow up running back screens. Legit blitzing upside. Can get to the catch point when the ball arrives and cause incompletions. Good in zone and vertical man coverages. Can impede routes. Good at covering tight-ends. Inconsistent in providing help over the top. Knack for being at the right place at the right time. Slices in on run support.

Final words

Big presence on the defensive side of the ball.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him, visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.