After focusing on offense for the first three picks, Andrew Berry got aggressive and traded up to pick 58 to add a chess piece to the Cleveland Browns defense, selecting Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. He’s a chess piece who can move all around the defensive backfield and had a first-round grade on my board, so getting him towards the end of the second round is awesome.
McNeil-Warren plays with relentless energy, consistently looking to assert himself through physicality both in coverage and when attacking the ball carrier. Against the run, he triggers quickly and closes downhill with urgency. His above‑average sideline‑to‑sideline speed allows him to cover significant ground.
His length and physical style stand out on film; he’s just as disruptive in the run game as he is in coverage. Over his career, he has forced nine fumbles—three this past season and four in 2023. He makes receivers think twice about catching passes over the middle, knowing he’s ready to challenge the catch point and deliver a heavy hit. He is the definition of an enforcer on the defensive side of the field.
Grade: A+
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns NFL Draft: Grading the pick of Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Reporting by Jacob Roach, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
