It has been 36 years since the Chicago Bears spent a 1st round pick on a safety in the draft. The last time was in 1990 when they selected Mark Carrier 6th overall. He went on to become a three-time Pro Bowler and one of the team’s best defenders of the 1990s. Curiously, the Bears never tried duplicating that success again, despite numerous opportunities. They passed on Troy Polamalu in 2003, Antrel Rolle in 2005, and Harrison Smith in 2012. Could this finally be the year they break that streak? If so, the name to watch is Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
Don’t feel bad if you haven’t heard the name much. That happens when someone plays for Toledo. The school’s media profile isn’t far-reaching. That said, the young man is creating a buzz in scouting circles ahead of the draft. When you watch him on tape, it quickly becomes clear why. It isn’t hard to see the Bears having him atop their board at #25 overall this April. Let’s explore why.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren stats to know
- 214 tackles
- 11 tackles for a loss
- 1 sack
- 5 interceptions
- 9 forced fumbles
| Top 2026 safety | Forced fumbles in college career |
| Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | 9 |
| A.J. Haulcy | 4 |
| Caleb Downs | 3 |
| Dillon Thieneman | 2 |
| Zakee Wheatley | 2 |
Strengths:
- Has ideal size at 6’2″ and 202 lbs
- Shows good closing speed on tackle attempts
- Not afraid to hit. He’ll deliver hard shots to receivers and running backs to set the tone
- An uncanny nose for the football. Has rare vision and reflexes to punch the ball out.
Bears fans have fond memories of Charles Tillman for a reason. No defensive back in NFL history had a great ability to force fumbles. His signature Peanut Punch is widely copied around the league. Well, McNeil-Warren might be the second coming of Tillman. The play above shows him carefully watching the ball carrier. He knows his teammate is about to make the tackle. Rather than jumping in late to help. He eyes the ball, and then just as the runner is about to go down, he delivers the punch. Perfectly timed.
- Has enough range and awareness to patrol passing lanes
- Shows an ability to match up with tight ends, which is pivotal in today’s NFL.
- Surprisingly sound tackler for somebody his age
Weaknesses:
- Can be indecisive at times, not choosing to react fast enough in the open field
- While not slow, his average speed makes him vulnerable to deep threats
- Overcommits from time to time, resulting in loss of containment
- Allows blockers into his frame too often. Doesn’t use his length enough
- Sloppy footwork will expose him against good route-runners.
Bears fans will be reminded of: Brian Dawkins
The man known as Weapon X was drafted in the 2nd round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1996. He quickly became a playmaker and enforcer on the back end of their defense for the next 13 years. His hard hits kept offenses wary of attacking the middle of the field, while his uncanny knack for forcing fumbles (39 in his career) made him a menace to run the ball anywhere near. Obviously, he separated himself from others as an incredible leader, which is impossible to predict for any player coming out of college.
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Still, if the Bears want an idea of what Emmanuel McNeil-Warren brings to the table, then Dawkins is the archetype. Big, physical, and a razor-sharp nose for the football. Don’t forget Tillman was constantly dogged for his lack of speed at cornerback. That didn’t seem to stop him from wreaking havoc. If this kid reaches even 70% of what Dawkins was in his career, taking him at #25 is a no-brainer.
Why Dennis Allen will want him
The Bears’ defensive coordinator faces a major quandary. Four of the safeties on the depth chart from last season will be free agents this spring, including Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. It is unlikely they will all be kept. Initial belief is that Byard will be prioritized while Brisker hits the open market. The same will be true for C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Needless to say, that means safety becomes a position they must address in the draft. That is, before you note that Dennis Allen’s best defenses always had a Pro Bowler on the back end.
His three best units came in New Orleans from 2020 to 2022. Malcolm Jenkins, the three-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champ, was with the first two. Then Tyrann Mathieu took over that final season. Don’t forget Allen worked with Dawkins in 2011 when the Denver Broncos made their miracle run to the playoffs during Tebowmania. If anybody sees the value of Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, it will be Allen. That versatility and physical edge can be so valuable to a defense.
