Miami Dolphins taking close look at Toledo safety McNeil-Warren
The Miami Dolphins, who need safety help, might consider Emmanuel McNeil-Warren with draft pick No. 30.
When the Miami Dolphins nearly made it through the first month of the 2025 season without creating a takeaway on defense, the tone was set. By the end of the year, the Dolphins ranked in the middle of the pack in forced fumbles and interceptions and below average with a minus-four giveaway/takeaway ratio. Which is about where Emmanuel McNeil-Warren may come in.
McNeil-Warren is a safety from Toledo and one of the 30 players the Dolphins could host for a pre-draft visit. More Dolphins: Miami Dolphins RB De'Von Achane does not report to voluntary OTAs Besides being rangy at 6-feet-3 1/2 with 32 1/8-inch arms, McNeil-Warren has another claim to fame. He has a knack for the “Peanut punch,” so named for ex-Chicago Bears defensive back Peanut Tillman, who made a career out of forcing fumbles by punching the ball out from the grasp of unsuspecting ballcarriers.
McNeil-Warren forced nine fumbles at Toledo this way to earn third-team All-America honors. He’s now considered a first-round prospect who could be in play for the Dolphins with the 30th overall pick, their second first-rounder of this draft. The Dolphins need help at safety, especially with safeties who can help in run support the way McNeil-Warren can.
He ranked second on the Rockets last season with 77 tackles, including 5. 5 for loss, plus three forced fumbles and two interceptions. McNeil-Warren is a Tampa native who reached this point thanks to a sacrifice by his mother, Sharona McNeil, who raised him until just before he entered high school.