The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the NFL’s highest-paid defenses, and you can expect that Mike McCarthy will want to shift some of those funds over to offense. However, this is a good draft for defensive players, and one spot Pittsburgh might want to address early is the safety position.
With Chuck Clark, Kyle Dugger, and Jabrill Peppers all set to become free agents, safety is suddenly a big need for the Steelers. And one of the top safety prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft is Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a terrorizing defender from Toledo. Could he be a fit in Patrick Graham’s defense? Here is our scouting report on McNeil-Warren and why he could be an option for the Pittsburgh Steelers
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.
If you want a long, physical defensive back who will make his presence known in the middle of the field, McNeil-Warren is your man. Caleb Downs and Dillon Thieneman are the other top safeties in the class, but they are nowhere near as physical and don’t have the same impact as run defenders.
But McNeil-Warren isn’t a liability in coverage, and that’s what makes him such an intriguing prospect. He can be a four-down player in the NFL and can add toughness to a defense right out of the gate.
Negatives:
- Just an average athlete. Long speed could be an issue for him in the NFL and 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.
The biggest thing that holds McNeil-Warren back from being a consensus top-20 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is top-tier athleticism. He’s likely going to run in the high 4.5s, and he just doesn’t have elite burst or agility. That could limit his role somewhat in the NFL, and teams hoping that he could be a true free safety might come away disappointed.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren NFL Player Comparison: Deshon Elliott, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
The best comparison for McNeil-Warren is, coincidentally, Deshon Elliott, who has been one of the team’s best free agent signings over the last decade. Elliott is a physical safety who does his best work in the box. But he’s certainly not a liability in coverage and has the instincts to know where the ball is headed. Elliott might not be a Pro Bowl safety, but he’s a valuable defender and a key part of Pittsburgh’s defense. And there is a reason why the defense fell off a cliff whenever he was out of the lineup.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Fit With The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are expected to have significant turnover in their secondary, and there is no guarantee that Jalen Ramsey will be on the roster in 2026. McNeil-Warren would add a long, lanky defender who could play several positions, including the slot and nickel linebacker. His brand of game screams “AFC North football” and would be a massive upgrade over the likes of Kyle Dugger, Chuck Clark, Jabrill Peppers, etc.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren NFL Draft Grade: Early Round 2
It’s pretty rare for a safety to be a top-20 pick in the NFL Draft, as teams have deemphasized the position. But McNeil-Warren is a very good prospect who should be selected either at the back end of Round 1 or the top of Round 2. He’s got the length and physicality to be a Day 1 starter, and teams looking for a box safety who can make plays in coverage will love EMW.