2026 NFL Draft Profile: Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo)
Kerby Joseph insurance plan: McNeil-Warren offers the requisite football IQ and versatility to execute the “Hamilton Role” at a high level.
BIO & BACKGROUND
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a defensive back from St. Petersburg, Florida, where he starred at Lakewood High School under the guidance of his father, a football coach. This upbringing instilled a high football IQ and “coach on the field” mentality early in his development. A three-star recruit, he committed to the University of Toledo, remaining loyal to the program despite Transfer Portal interest from Power 4 schools. He developed into a multi-year starter and the unquestioned leader of the Rockets’ secondary. His senior campaign in 2025 cemented his legacy as one of the most productive defensive backs in program history, earning him an invitation to the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION 2025
McNeil-Warren was the statistical engine of the Toledo defense in his final season, delivering production that rivaled any safety in the country.
Games Played: 13
Total Tackles: 77 (36 Solo / 41 Assisted)
Tackles for Loss: 5.5
Sacks: 0.5
Interceptions: 2 (1 returned for a Touchdown vs Western Kentucky)
Passes Defended: 5
Forced Fumbles: 3
Fumble Recoveries: 2
Accolades: First-Team All-MAC (2025), PFF All-America Team.
SCOUTING REPORT
Strengths
Elite Ball Production - Peanut Punch Expert: One of the best in the class at dislodging the football. Displays a natural instinct to hunts for the ball carrier’s arm to punch the ball out during tackles rather than just securing the wrap. Forcing 3 fumbles in 2025 and 8+ over his career. He creates turnovers, he doesn't just wait for them.
Elite Physical Frame: The build of a modern NFL linebacker but moves like a safety.Possesses a 6’2”, 202 lb build with estimated 33-inch arms, allowing him to physically match up with tight ends and large slot receivers.
Run Support Trigger: Diagnoses run plays instantly and triggers downhill with violence, effectively functioning as an extra linebacker in the box.
Versatility: Aligned at deep safety, in the slot, and in the box at Toledo. Proved effective in all three phases but excels most when playing forward.
Developing Areas
Long Speed: Lacks elite recovery speed (estimated 4.54s range). Can be exposed deep if he takes a poor initial angle or is beaten off the line.
Man Coverage Fluidity: Shows some hip stiffness when asked to mirror twitchy slot receivers in pure man-to-man situations.
Aggressiveness: Occasional tendency to bite on play-action or double moves due to his desire to make splash plays, leaving the back end vulnerable.
FILM STUDY
Context: Film reviewed includes the 2025 matchups against Western Kentucky (9/6/25), Kentucky (8/30/25), and Northern Illinois (11/5/25).
Analysis: The Western Kentucky game serves as the perfect microcosm of McNeil-Warren’s skillset. In the first quarter, he read a crossing route, jumped the lane, and returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown, showcasing elite anticipation. Later in the same game, he filled the C-gap against the run, forcing the back inside to help. Against Kentucky (SEC opponent), he forced a fumble on a perimeter screen, proving his physicality translates against higher competition. However, consistency in open-field tackling against Kentucky’s shifty backs was mixed, with two missed tackles recorded in space. His motor is relentless; film consistently shows him chasing plays downfield 20+ yards from his alignment.
Warren-McNeill Scheme Fit Analysis
The Scheme: 4-2-5 “Multiple” Defense Under Defensive Coordinator Vince Kehres and Co-DC Ross Watson, Toledo operates a 4-2-5 base defense. The philosophy emphasizes “Position Multiplicity” and disguise, utilizing a five-man secondary to match modern spread offenses without sacrificing run support. The structure relies on hybrid defenders who can interchange roles post-snap, allowing the defense to present a static pre-snap look before rotating into various single-high or two-high coverages.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren’s Assignments
McNeil-Warren functioned as the “Skeleton Key” of the Rockets’ secondary, playing a role akin to the “Star” or “Big Nickel” position found in NFL schemes.
Primary Alignment: Hybrid Box Safety / Slot Defender.
Usage: Aligned primarily to the field side or directly over the tight end/slot receiver. His proximity to the line of scrimmage allowed him to function essentially as a third linebacker in run fits.
Run Support Responsibility: “Force” Player & Gap Shooter.
Assignment: Tasked with setting the edge against outside run concepts (Wide Zone/Jet Sweep) to turn ball carriers back inside toward the linebackers. On interior run calls, he frequently acted as a “gap shooter,” utilizing his burst to penetrate the C-gap and disrupt plays in the backfield (evidenced by his 5.5 TFLs).
Pass Coverage Role: Zone Match & Robber.
Assignment: In Toledo’s zone-match concepts, he was responsible for the “Hook/Curl” or “Flat” zones, reading the quarterback’s eyes to jump underneath routes. On 3rd downs, he often executed “Green Dog” blitzes—blitzing if the running back stayed in to block, or peeling off to cover if the back released.
Specialized “Chaos” Package: A-Gap Blitzer.
Assignment: In distinct passing situations, Kehres aligned McNeil-Warren in the A-gap (between Center and Guard) to simulate a “Double Mug” pressure look, utilizing his size (202 lbs) to threaten interior linemen before bailing into coverage or rushing the passer.
DETROIT LIONS COMPATIBILITY & SCHEME FIT
Defensive Fit (Kelvin Sheppard): McNeil-Warren is an ideal schematic match for Kelvin Sheppard’s defense, which demands versatility and tackling from its safeties.
The “Brian Branch” Role: While not as polished as Branch, McNeil-Warren fits the “Star” position profile—a safety who can play in the box and essentially function as a linebacker on run downs.
Special Teams: His size and tackling production (77 tackles) make him an immediate “four-phase” special teams player, which is a requirement for Dan Campbell’s roster.
“Star” / Big Nickel Role: He projects perfectly into the hybrid safety/linebacker role often utilized in Detroit’s heavy dime packages.
Culture Fit: His “peanut punch” style (3 FFs in 2025) aligns directly with the turnover-obsessed culture Dan Campbell and Sheppard preach.
Run Defense: His willingness to trigger downhill (5.5 TFLs) fits the Lions’ requirement for safeties to be active participants in the run fit.
Offensive Note: While a defensive player, his special teams value would secure his active roster spot, a key requirement for depth players in Detroit.
ANALYSIS & QUOTES
Rare Talent Inside A Physical Frame: “A heavy hitter who brings a linebacker’s mentality to the secondary. He is one of the most physical safeties in the Group of Five and has a knack for finding the football.” — AFC Regional Scout
Cerebral Football Player: “You can teach coverages, but you can’t teach the instinct to punch the ball out. He creates chaos.” — Draft Analyst
Post Senior Bowl Analysis:
“McNeil-Warren is a high-floor prospect who projects as an immediate impact starter for the right defense that values instinct over raw 40-time. His long-term ceiling will ultimately be dictated by his football IQ and athletic testing; verified speed will determine if he steps in as a Day 1 starter at Strong Safety or begins his career as a rotational box defender and core special teams ace. While he lacks elite top-end gear, his exceptional processing speed and physical temperament effectively mask these limitations on tape. If his interviews prove elite football IQ and the athletic testing validates his film—he possesses the trajectory to develop into one of the league's premier safeties by the 2027 season.” ~ Independant scout: Will Rock
DRAFT PROJECTION
Measurables:
Height: 6’2” | Weight: 202 lbs | Arms: 33.25” (Est) | Hands: 9” (Est)
40-Yard Dash (Est): 4.55s (Estimated)
NFL Analysts Consensus Round Projection: Mid/Late 1st Round
Rock’s Locks Draft Projection: Pick 17-36
Consensus Draft Slot - February 3rd, 2026
NFL Comparison
Justin Reid (Chiefs) | Kyle Hamilton (Ravens)
Rationale: Although there are many similarities to Kyle Hamilton’s game. He shares the same intelligent, downhill playing style and capability to play both the run and pass effectively from a split-safety look similar to Justin Reid. The main focus for comparison with Kyle Hamilton below, shows a player that can be special in the right system, coaching and scheme.
EMMANUEL MCNEIL-WARREN VS. KYLE HAMILTON
Focusing on physical attributes, collegiate production, schematic usage, and projected NFL transition. Kyle Hamilton is a “Alien” prospect—a 6’4” safety who moves like a corner. McNeil-Warren does not have that generational frame, but he mimics the function. For defensive coordinators seeking to implement the variable-front structures—McNeil-Warren offers the requisite football IQ and versatility to execute the “Hamilton Role” at a high level.
SCHEMATIC USAGE & ROLE
The “Star” Position
Kyle Hamilton: Defined the modern “Star” role. At Notre Dame and in Baltimore, he aligns everywhere: weakside linebacker, slot corner, and single-high safety. His size allows him to physically maul tight ends, while his length shuts down passing lanes.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: Toledo deployed him in a nearly identical fashion within the MAC. In 2025, he logged significant snaps in the slot and box. Like Hamilton, he is most effective moving forward toward the line of scrimmage rather than backpedaling.
Verdict: McNeil-Warren is a “Hamilton-Lite” in usage. He fits the same role but lacks the mass to consistently engage NFL offensive tackles in the run game the way Hamilton does (who essentially plays OLB at times).
SCOUTING TRAITS COMPARISON
Processing Speed (The “Superpower”)
Hamilton: His 4.59s speed is irrelevant because his eyes allow him to play at 4.4 speed. He identifies concepts instantly.
McNeil-Warren: Shares this trait. His ability to trigger on run plays and screens before the quarterback throws is his best asset. Both players rely on IQ over foot speed.
Ball Production
Hamilton: A coverage savant. His length allows him to deflect passes others can’t reach.
McNeil-Warren: A violence savant. While Hamilton plays the ball in the air, McNeil-Warren attacks the ball carrier. With 8+ career forced fumbles, McNeil-Warren is more of a “peanut punch” artist compared to Hamilton’s interception prowess.
Man Coverage Limitations
Hamilton: Struggles against small, twitchy slot receivers (e.g., Zay Flowers types) due to change-of-direction stiffness.
McNeil-Warren: Shows the same limitation. He is not a “mirror-and-match” defender against shifty slots. Both players must be protected by scheme (Zone/Bracket) when facing elite quickness.
TEAM FITS
Detroit Lions: Kelvin Sheppard & Dan Campbell have a massive void to fill with Kerby Joseph’s uncertain future. Brad Holmes cannot walk away from the next Kyle Hamilton.
Tennessee Titans: Gus Bradley’s Cover-3 scheme values long, physical safeties who can tackle in the box.
New England Patriots: Known for drafting versatile, “do-it-all” defensive backs who can play special teams and defense.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A logical fit for a team that prioritizes physical tackling and ball production from its secondary.
FINAL TAKE
The Kerby Joseph situation is boiling over the top in Detroit. Brad Holmes cannot afford to risk another season with Kerby Joseph missing in action again. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a “football player” in the truest sense. He overcomes average testing speed with elite processing, violence, and ball skills. His production (8+ career forced fumbles) is not accidental.
For the Detroit Lions, he represents a low-risk, high-reward selection in the late 1st to early 2nd round. Warren can be the insurance for Kerby’s knee immediately upgrading the special teams units and provide quality depth at multiple defensive back positions should Joseph play. Warren will be a instant upgrade and playmaker on day 1 providing big play potential, ball hawking range and future proof this defense for the next decade.
Way To Early Prediction: Unlikely Trades
Brad Holmes will need to gamble early in this draft. A trade-back scenario with the Steelers—moving from pick #17 to #21—makes perfect sense if the board falls the way I project today.
I anticipate a run on 16 specific players before the Lions are on the clock: four edge defenders, two defensive linemen, three receivers, one running back, two cornerbacks, one safety, one quarterback, and two offensive linemen.
If Kadyn Proctor is sliding and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is still projected as a late first-rounder, the Lions must do everything they can to move back, stack picks, and still target one of them in Round 1.
The Trade: Detroit sends David Montgomery and Pick #17 to Pittsburgh for Picks #21, #53, and #99.
Let Brad cook! This move would give Holmes enough ammunition to package Detroit’s 2027 1st-round pick with the newly acquired #99 to the Texans, jumping back into the first round at #28 to select Proctor. Landing both McNeil-Warren and Proctor would be a massive steal, and the Lions would still hold picks #50 and #53 to draft any combination of linebacker, edge, tight end, or center.
