Emmanuel McNeil-Warren’s rise may trigger major shift in Chiefs secondary

The Kansas City Chiefs have a big wave of free agents in the secondary for 2026. Bryan Cook, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, and Nazeeh Johnson are all set to hit the open market. Add in that Trent McDuffie needs a new deal and could be a potential trade candidate, and there are lots of questions for 2026 and beyond.

There will be lots of discussion surrounding the value of a safety, with the Chiefs potentially taking Caleb Downs at pick No. 9. However, this safety class has talent all around, and it’s one of the better positions in the class. The Chiefs might be in the market for another young safety, and there are lots of quality options available on Day 2 and Day 3.

One of the questions that needs to be answered in 2026 is what the Chiefs have in Jaden Hicks. After a promising rookie season, he played just 43% of the defensive snaps this year behind Chamarri Connor and Bryan Cook. Can Hicks be a regular starter on defense, or is he more of a rotational player? The answer to that question will likely be a major part of how the Chiefs tackle the safety position in the draft.

To keep close tabs on the 2026 NFL Draft and the top prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs, make sure to bookmark our Arrowhead Addict Big Board. Our custom big board is tailored toward the Chiefs’ needs and thresholds.

NFL Draft Profile: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Safety, Toledo

Height: 6-2 (listed)

Weight: 202 LBS. (listed)

Tape Exposure: Akron (2025), Kentucky (2025), Kent State (2025)

Shades of: Justin Reid

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren's background

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren grew up in Tampa, Florida, where he dabbled in basketball and track but was always drawn to football. Raised by his mother, Sharona McNeil, he moved to St. Petersburg before high school to live with his father, Tarus Horne, an assistant coach at Lakewood High, a decision aimed at strengthening their relationship and advancing his football career. He was ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and committed to Toledo out of high school.

Despite having several other sizable offers to leave Toledo during his career, he decided to stay loyal and finish out his time with the program. In all, he started 48 games for the Rockets (five games missed due to injury) and logged 214 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, one sack, and five interceptions in his college career.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren's strengths

NFL Frame

McNeil-Warren has a frame that reminds you of Eric Berry coming out of Tennessee. With the prevalence of bigger safeties like Kyle Hamilton and Nick Emmanwori, that makes him a chess piece. He’s densely built with long arms and nice, long strides as a runner. He has the fluidity and mobility to run stride for stride with tight ends and running backs in man coverage. He had the third-highest coverage grade of any safety in the class, according to PFF, and the highest grade of any safety in the class overall.

Downhill Trigger

Looks best closer to the box and playing downhill. Sifts through traffic well, shows closing speed as a tackler, and has the size to be an impact gap shooter. He loves to hit and is exactly the type of heat-seeking missile (or rocket) you like to see in a safety playing in the box.

Tackling

A sure tackler. Though PFF doesn’t love his tackling numbers, he always seems to wrap up defenders on tape. There are lots of tough open-field tackles that he’s able to square up and make. You can see the strength he plays with as a tackler.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren's weaknesses

Angles of Pursuit

As a deep safety, he’s missed on some angles that have led to big plays, including a long touchdown run against Kentucky. He doesn’t have the best top-end speed, so those angles are very important for a player, especially if he’s playing on the back end.

Level of Competetion

Always a topic with a MAC player, but Toledo has been putting defenders in the league lately, with Darius Alexander (2025) and Quinyon Mitchell (2024) both being top-64 picks. Warren looked like he belonged on the field against Kentucky, but how does he look against the NFL’s best?

Single High Coverage

Currently does not profile as a true free safety who can be a “center fielder.” Limited long speed and instincts that aren’t as refined limit his ability to be a true coverage ball hawk on the back end. Only five interceptions and 11 passes defended illustrate that as well.

How does Emmanuel McNeil-Warren fit with the Chiefs?

Much of his profile looks similar to that of Jaden Hicks coming out of Washington State. Bryan Cook led the team in free safety snaps, while Chamarri Conner and Hicks mixed in closer to the box. If Warren were added to the Chiefs, there would likely need to be a change in Conner's role. However, a tandem of Hicks and Warren playing downhill would bring a dynamic pairing of long, rangy athletes. The Chiefs have always played with three-safety looks, and right now they need another chess piece to add to the board. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren offers a nice size-and-speed combination to add to that tandem.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a physical, run-supporting safety with strong tackling. He shows good zone awareness and plays with instincts around the ball. He needs a smoother backpedal, more top-end speed, and growth as a single-high defender.

Round Grade: Red Chip (3rd round grade)