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Emmanuel McNeil-Warren made an insane jumpt after finishing his participation at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
The former Toledo standout projects as a long, physical safety who thrives playing downhill and strengthening a defense against the run.
His skill set is best utilized close to the line of scrimmage or in a robber role, where he can read the quarterback's eyes and drive on routes developing over the middle. He shows solid anticipation in coverage and closes quickly on targets, although he may require schematic support to avoid being exposed in pure speed matchups.
A lot of room for improvement
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren may have entered the week with momentum, but according to Chad Reuter of NFL.com, his stock took a step back following Friday's workout at the NFL Scouting Combine. The second night of on-field drills at Lucas Oil Stadium featured defensive backs and tight ends, and several prospects used the spotlight to elevate their draft profiles.
With the 2026 NFL Draft set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, evaluators are paying close attention to every measurable and movement pattern as teams finalize their boards. Reuter noted that McNeil-Warren did not turn in a poor performance. Instead, he was overshadowed by standout showings from other top safeties in the class. Prospects such as Jalon Kilgore, Genesis Smith and Thieneman delivered elite athletic numbers that drew the attention of scouts and executives.
By comparison, McNeil-Warren's testing results were solid but unspectacular. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds, posted a 35 1/2-inch vertical jump and recorded a 10-foot-2 broad jump. Those figures reflect a capable athlete at his position, but in a deep safety group where multiple players flashed rare explosiveness and top-end speed, his numbers did not separate him from the pack.
Adequate but not impressive
His positional drills were described as adequate. McNeil-Warren caught the ball cleanly during pass-catching exercises and moved relatively well for a safety with his frame. However, evaluators reportedly noticed inconsistencies in his change of direction, and coaches had to remind him more than once to finish drills with full effort through the end of each rep.
In a setting where marginal differences can significantly impact draft positioning, failing to stand out can be costly. While McNeil-Warren remains a viable option for teams seeking size and physicality on the back end, Reuter suggested that he may need a strong showing at his pro day to regain momentum and solidify his case as a Day 1 or Day 2 selection.