49ers Trade No. 58 To Browns; S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren To Stay In Ohio

The Browns have already made three picks in this draft, but they are moving up the board to make a fourth top-60 selection. The 49ers are sending the 49ers pick Nos. 58 & 152 in exchange for Nos. 70 & 107. As a result, Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is heading across the state to play in Cleveland’s secondary.

A three-year starter for the Rockets, McNeil-Warren lit up the stat sheet in his sophomore year as he made plays all over the gridiron. A five-game absence due to injury hurt his junior year production, but the 6-foot-3, 200-pound safety returned for his senior campaign and, once again, showed his playmaking ability. In 35 games as a starter, McNeil-Warren had 207 total tackles, a sack, 11 tackles for loss, five interceptions (one returned for a score), 13 passes defensed, and eight forced fumbles.

The 22-year-old had hopes of becoming only the third Toledo first-round pick in school history, but ultimately, being the target of a second-round trade should be solid consolation. McNeil-Warren boasts a unique blend of size and speed for a rangy safety who can make an impact all over the field. Strong ball skills, quick, fluid hips, and a mastery of the Peanut Punch should give McNeil-Warren a strong chance to carve out a role on a strong Cleveland defense as a rookie.

Cleveland returns both starting safeties in Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman next year, but both players are on contract years in 2026. On a defense that boasts the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, though, McNeil-Warren should feel the freedom to let loose even with limited opportunities and allow his strong instincts to take over. McNeil-Warren’s ability to play anywhere on the field should open the door for some early playing opportunities, and if the Browns allow Delpit or Hickman to walk in free agency next year, McNeil-Warren would have a clear path to an eventual starting role.