{"id":573179,"date":"2026-04-09T04:39:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T04:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/573179\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T04:39:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T04:39:18","slug":"schultz-toledo-standout-s-emmanuel-mcneil-warren-to-visit-steelers-thursday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/573179\/","title":{"rendered":"Schultz: Toledo Standout S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren To Visit Steelers Thursday"},"content":{"rendered":"

Likely first-round pick Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is set to have a pre-draft visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.<\/a> It\u2019s the final of several visits McNeil-Warren has taken in recent days.<\/p>\n

He becomes one of the best prospects to visit Pittsburgh and puts him in first-round contention for the Steelers, who hold the No. 21 overall pick.<\/p>\n

Source: Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is currently visiting the Dolphins after concluding recent visits with the Patriots, Browns, Cowboys and Falcons \u2014 and finishes with the Steelers tomorrow.<\/p>\n

The former All-American has a strong chance to become a 1st-round pick. pic.twitter.com\/T7R3ppDSu5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

A top-three safety in a deep class alongside Ohio State\u2019s Caleb Downs and Oregon\u2019s Dillon Thieneman, McNeil-Warren checks plenty of boxes. He brings rare size at 6034, 201 pounds with more than a 78-inch wingspan. His testing wasn\u2019t spectacular, partly due to his big frame, but solid. At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.52 40-yard dash with a 35.5 inch vertical and 10\u20192\u2033 broad jump.<\/p>\n

On tape, he\u2019s a fierce hitter with a knack for making big plays. In 2025, he recorded 77 tackles (5.5 for a loss) with five pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions. For his career, he forced a remarkable nine fumbles. Pro Football Focus graded him as college football\u2019s No. 1 safety in 2025 and also gave him the top FBS coverage grade for the position.<\/p>\n

Our scouting report<\/a> praised McNeil-Warren for his impactful yet reliable tackling, his quality athleticism, and defensive versatility. Negatively, he could stand to add additional weight to his frame and his aggressive eyes can sometimes take him out of the play. Overall, we concluded:<\/p>\n

\u201cEmmanuel McNeil-Warren is a solid safety prospect who plays with a great attitude, has plus athletic traits, and had strong college production. Despite a need to fill out his frame, he has the makings of a strong safety with athleticism to play some in the post, too. If his eyes become a little more disciplined with more coaching, he\u2019s a clear every-down starter.\u201d<\/p>\n

We gave him an 8.3 grade and NFL comparison to safety Justin Reid.<\/p>\n

McNeil-Warren is likely to be on the board when Pittsburgh picks at No. 21 and is now a serious candidate on the Steelers\u2019 short list. If selected, he would become the team\u2019s first non-Power 4 first round selection since Miami (OH) QB Ben Roethlisberger in 2004.<\/p>\n

Of the team\u2019s known list of visitors, McNeil-Warren is the highest-rated prospect. Others include Washington WR Denzel Boston, San Diego CB Chris Johnson, and Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez. Under GM Omar Khan, all three of his first-round selections, OT Broderick Jones, OT Troy Fautanu, and DL Derrick Harmon, came in for pre-draft visits.<\/p>\n

Though the Steelers retained Jalen Ramsey and signed Jaquan Brisker, the team lacks long-term options at safety, especially free safety, and McNeil-Warren could be that answer.<\/p>\n