Browns roster: A clear role’s emerging for Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in 2026
McNeil-Warren could be incredibly productive for Cleveland in year one.
BEREA, OHIO - MAY 08: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren #28 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during a rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 08, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images When the Cleveland Browns selected “EMW” at the end of the 2nd round in this year’s NFL Draft, nobody could believe their eyes. Most mock drafts and big boards had him as more of a late 1st-round to early 2nd-round pick, regardless of him being a mid-major player at the University of Toledo.
He quickly began to rise up draft boards as it got closer to the big day, and his overall versatility, combined with his above-average size, is what drew NFL coaching staffs in. At 6’3 1/2”, 201 lbs. with the wingspan of an albatross, he has a pretty large coverage bubble, and he’s been incredibly good working in the middle due to having excellent route anticipation.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in coverage #browns pic. twitter. com/GzkIrjs2Jq — Dan Labbe (@dan_labbe) May 9, 2026 It’s just rookie mini-camp, but McNeil-Warren looked a step above most of the other defensive backs in attendance this week, and it’s easy to see why Cleveland was so high on him.
With 32 1/8” arms and a 1. 58s 10-yard split, he makes closing in on pass-catchers and getting his hands in the mix at the catchpoint look easy in the short-to-intermediate passing game. Despite being known for his effectiveness in keeping the game in front of him in the passing game and when stopping the run, he’s also shown the ability to be productive as a deep center-fielder between the 20’s as well.