Name: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Position: Safety
School: Toledo
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 201
40-yard dash: 4.52 seconds (1.58 10-yard split)
Bench: Did not bench
Vertical: 35.5 inches
Broad: 10-foot-2
3-cone: Did not run
20-yard shuttle: Did not run
View photos of 2026 NFL Draft safety prospect Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) pursues a play on defense against the Akron during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Toledo defensive back Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (40) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) gets ready for a play during an NCAA football game between WKU and Toledo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Bowling Green, Ky. WKU came back to beat Toledo 26-21. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Toledo defensive back Emmanuel McNeil-Warren goes through drills and testing at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Toledo defensive back Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (40) answers questions during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) intercepts a pass during an NCAA football game between WKU and Toledo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Bowling Green, Ky. WKU came back to beat Toledo 26-21. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Toledo defensive back Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (40) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Toledo defensive back Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (40) participates in the Broad Jump at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Gregory Payan/AP Content Services for NFL)
Toledo defensive back Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (40) answers questions during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
In this photograph taken with a slow shutter speed, Toledo defensive back Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (40) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
How he fits: After seeing what versatile safety Nick Emmanwori meant to the Seattle defense and their Super Bowl run last season, more and more teams are looking for someone who has size and can play both safety spots and come down in the box as a hybrid linebacker or play the big nickel.
Toledo used McNeil-Warren a lot in the box and at the line of scrimmage. He was also an enforcer over the middle for the Rockets' pass defense and he's an explosive player both in the run and pass games.
The Lions return Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch at safety and just signed veteran defensive back Christian Izien in free agency. They also return Thomas Harper and Dan Jackson at the position.
There's some uncertainly surrounding the knee injury that forced Joseph to miss 11 games last season as it's something he'll have to manage moving forward. Branch tore his Achilles in early December and it's unclear if he'll be available when the regular season starts.
Key observations: McNeil-Warren is just the second Toledo Rocket to make the Associated Press All-America team in 18 years (Quinyon Mitchell 2022, 2023). He also made the Pro Football Focus All-America Team.
What they had to say about him: "McNeil-Warren is not a small-time prospect, even though he played at a Group of 5 school. He had two interceptions, three forced fumbles and five passes defended last season while setting a career high with 77 tackles.
"Despite an average showing at the combine with a 4.52 40-yard dash and a 35.5-inch vertical jump, McNeil-Warren's tape shows the closing speed, size, toughness and range to be an effective box safety with coverage upside. He also caused nine fumbles in his college career -- something we love to see." – Matt Miller, ESPN
Go behind the scenes with the Detroit Lions during 2026 free agency.
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) signs a free agent contract at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) signs a free agent contract at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien signs his contract during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien signs his contract during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin and his family during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) with his family as he signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Roger McCreary during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 16, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Damone Clark during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Damone Clark during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Damone Clark signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Damone Clark signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Damone Clark during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Damone Clark during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch and his family during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell and Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch and his family during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch and his family as he signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Dortch during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 18, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 19, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 19, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 19, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
How he stacks up: Miller ranked McNeil-Warren as his No. 20 overall prospect and No. 3 safety available after Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and Dillon Thieneman (Oregon).
NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah lists McNeil-Warren as his No. 16 overall prospect in his most recent Top 50 players available in the class.
"McNeil-Warren is a tall, long safety prospect with fantastic production," Jeremiah wrote. "He's a fun player to study. Every game I examined was littered with big hits, plays on the ball and HIGH energy. He's a very explosive player.
"Overall, McNeil-Warren is a bouncy, twitchy athlete with Pro Bowl potential."
NFL.com lead draft writer Eric Edholm has McNeil-Warren at No. 26 on his first list of the Top 100 players.
McNeil-Warren comes in at No. 19 on ESPN's Jordan Reid's list of the Top 50 players. Reid lists McNeil-Warren as his second-best safety in the class after Downs.
What he had to say: "When I'm on the field, I can let all my anger out," McNeil-Warren said at the Combine of his physical brand of football. "I just leave everything out on the field like it's my last."
