Toledo FS Emmanuel McNeil-Warren drafted 58th overall by Cleveland Browns

The ever-growing Toledo defensive back factory expands.

Toledo free safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was selected 58th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, becoming the first MAC player off the board in Pittsburgh.

McNeil-Warren is the fifth Toledo defensive back drafted since 2019, following in the foosteps of Ka'dar Hollman, Tycen Anderson, Samuel Womack, and former teammate Quinyon Mitchell.

McNeil-Warren suited up four seasons for the Rockets. The Tampa, Florida native earned his first start as a true freshman in 2022 but notably escalated his production as a sophomore in 2023, compiling two interceptions and four forced fumbles for a Toledo team that rattled off 11-straight wins in the regular season. In 2024, McNeil-Warren continued his upward trajectory but was hampered by a season-ending shoulder injury, keeping him off the field for the final eight games.

As a senior in 2025, everything came to fruition. McNeil-Warren earned Third Team AP All-American honors (joining Mitchell as the second Toledo AP All-American since 2008), First Team All-MAC honors, and was one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award recoginizing the country's best defensive back. The free safety concluded his Toledo tenure with career-highs in tackles (77) and tackles for loss (5.5), guiding the nation's No. 5 ranked passing defense which allowed 158 yards per game on a 50.1 completion rate.

In total, McNeil-Warren logged 214 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, 13 pass breakups, nine forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in four years with the Rockets.

McNeil-Warren was one of five MAC players and one of three Toledo defensive backs invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The six-foot-three, 201 lb. safety recorded a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, a 35.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-2-inch broad jump in front of scouts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

McNeil-Warren has been credited for his versatility, thriving equally in coverage and run support. The free safety typically lines up close to the box and has a knack for jarring the ball loose, as evidenced by his nine career forced fumbles. In coverage, the 6'3.5" safety possesses impressive length and regularly delivers devastating blows to break up passes.

The second-round selection joins a Browns team that ranked third in the NFL in fewest passing yards allowed in 2025. He will work alongside Cleveland's returning safeties Ronnie Hickman and Grant Delpit, hoping to further bolster a secondary roughly 120 miles away from where he made a name for himself in college.