The Dallas Cowboys are expected to be in the safety market this offseason, and for many fans, Caleb Downs is the dream selection. But there is a good chance that he doesn’t make it to pick No. 12, and that could have Dallas looking elsewhere in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Downs isn’t the only safety prospect in this year’s draft who is worth Round 1 consideration. Another player worth consideration is Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a long, lanky safety from Toledo. Could he be a fit in Christian Parker’s defense? Here is our scouting report on McNeil-Warren and why he could be an option for the Dallas Cowboys.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Height: 6015
Weight: 202
Expected 40 Yard Dash Time: 4.54
Recruiting: 3-star recruit, 1,357 prospect, No. 106 ranked safety
College Production: 48 games, 214 total tackles, 13 pass deflections, 11 TFLs, 11 Forced Fumbles and 5 INTs.
Positives:
- Rocked up safety with long arms and a big wingspan. Looks like a 2000s safety.
- Has forced 11 fumbles during college career. Does a great job of punching at the ball and has a knack for creating turnovers.
- Physical tackler who will make his presence known to ball carriers. Excellent stopping power and receivers know where he is at all times.
- Has experience playing as a free safety and in the box. But he’s at his best in the middle of the field.
- Can be really challenging for quarterbacks to throw down the seam due to his size and length.
- Takes smart angles to the ball and is almost always in the right position to make plays.
Teams searching for a physical, tone-setting safety will love McNeil-Warren. He uses his size and length to his advantage and has shown that he isn’t just your typical box safety. He can flip his hips and make plays in coverage and his long strides allow him to cover more ground than you would imagine.
Teams that are likely to use safeties to patrol the intermediate part of the field will love his tenacity and willingness to inflict pain on ballcarriers.
Negatives:
- Just an average athlete. Long speed could be an issue for him in the NFL, and he can be a little stiff in the hips.
- Lack of burst is noticeable. His athleticism will certainly not jump off the screen.
- Has five career interceptions, but has also dropped five interceptions during career. Not the most reliable hands.
- Missed more tackles than expected during the 2025 season. Needs to be a more reliable tackler.
McNeil-Warren does have some speed concerns, and teams that can isolate him in one-on-one coverage could exploit him.
While he has experience playing multiple positions, he’s not a pure free safety, and teams searching for versatile safeties might look elsewhere. There is also some concern about the level of play, as he didn’t face elite competition, and it might take some time for him to adjust to the NFL.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren NFL Player Comparison: Deshon Elliott, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s taken some time for Elliott to find a home in the NFL, but he’s been fantastic in Pittsburgh when he’s been on the field. Elliott isn’t the best athlete, but he’s an enforcer over the middle of the field and is more than capable in coverage. He has a knack for making timely plays in coverage, and his ability to make splash plays has allowed him to thrive with Pittsburgh.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Fit With The Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys already have a free safety on the roster with Malik Hooker, and that would allow McNeil-Warren to play more in the box, where he’s at his best. But his best role is as a robber defender, where he can fly to the football over the middle of the field.
McNeil-Warren would be a Day 1 starter for Dallas and would give the secondary the toughness and physicality that they’ve needed for several years.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren NFL Draft Grade: Early Round 2
The only thing keeping McNeil-Warren from being a first-round graded player is top-tier athleticism. He’s likely going to run in the 4.55s, and his lack of elite quickness does show up on tape. However, he’s got really good instincts, and his size and length can certainly make up for his physical limitations.
In the right scheme, McNeil-Warren can be a Pro Bowl safety. But the fit will matter a lot to him, which is why he is likely to be selected somewhere between picks 20 and 40.