{"id":621589,"date":"2026-04-21T14:57:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T14:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/621589\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T14:57:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T14:57:10","slug":"nfl-insiders-emmanuel-mcneil-warren-prediction-is-scenario-bears-should-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/621589\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Insider’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Prediction is Scenario Bears Should Avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bears have a clear logical approach with their first few picks<\/a> in the 2026 NFL, and that is adding to the defense.<\/p>\n

The Bears sported the sixth-worst run defense, the 11th-worst pass defense, and finished tied for the seventh-fewest sacks in 2025.<\/p>\n

The Bears have a laundry list of positions to address<\/a> on defense, with edge rusher, interior defensive line, cornerback and safety being on that list.<\/p>\n

Based on positional value and the overall situation at each spot, we would say safety is at the bottom of the list of those needs.<\/p>\n

Yet, NFL Insider and CBS Sports reporter Jonathan Jones has the Bears addressing safety in his mock draft<\/a>. With the No. 25 pick, the Bears take Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.<\/p>\n

“An edge rusher here makes sense, but Chicago lost two safeties this offseason and filled one spot with Coby Bryant. McNeill-Warren is the third safety for a lot of teams in this draft,” he explained.<\/p>\n

Why Bears should avoid McNeil-Warren\"Toledo<\/p>\n

Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Our desire for the Bears to not make this pick has nothing to do with the player. McNeil-Warren looks to be a starting-caliber safety<\/a> who can definitely fill Chicago’s need.<\/p>\n

But edge rusher is far and away a much bigger need for the Bears<\/a>. After all, on top of their lackluster sacks total last season, we have no clue what Chicago will get from the edge rusher spot<\/a> opposite Montez Sweat.<\/p>\n

Dayo Odeyingbo is already looking like a bust after he posted just one sack in eight games last season before tearing his Achilles. Austin Booker is a nice player, but he’s just a rotational EDGE.<\/p>\n

Another reason why edge rusher should be the pick here is due to the facts that it’s just a much more valuable position and adding one in Round 1 gives Chicago a better chance to get a player capable of making the immediate impact the Bears need.<\/p>\n

When should the Bears draft a safety?\"Chicago<\/p>\n

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Instead of springing for a safety in Round 1, Chicago should explore adding one on Day 2, when the team sports three selections<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are going to be plenty of good options<\/a> in the second and third rounds, with guys like Treydan Stukes, A.J. Haulcy, Kyle Louis (who could also play linebacker), Kamari Ramsey, Genesis Smith and Jalon Kilgore being the best.<\/p>\n

We know general manager Ryan Poles doesn’t hold himself to drafting based on need<\/a>, so in no way are we saying Chicago is a lock when it comes to taking a position other than an edge rusher in the first round.<\/p>\n

But with the clear depth at safety on Day 2 and the team’s dire need at one of the most important positions on the field, edge rusher, Poles must do everything he can to bolster Chicago’s group in Round 1.<\/p>\n

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