PITTSBURGH — After making the No. 39 overall pick earlier in the night, the Browns were back on the clock a round sooner than scheduled after a trade up with the San Francisco 49ers to get back into the second round. With the acquired No. 58 pick, the Browns selected University of Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
McNeil-Warren spent four seasons with the Rockets, making a name for himself in the Mid-American Conference and beyond.
The safety finished his collegiate career with 214 total tackles, 106 of which were solo, 13 passes defended, nine forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, five interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, and a sack.
He joins a Browns safety room that also currently consists of Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman, Donovan McMillon, Christopher Edmonds and Daniel Thomas.
General manager Andrew Berry said that they didn't expect McNeil-Warren to be there at pick No. 58, so when they say him they knew they had to make a deal to get back to the second round and draft him. They considered taking him earlier, in fact.
"Eman, he wasn’t someone that we anticipated being there as late as he was. So, when he got within striking distance, we felt the move was appropriate. You know, to be truthful, he was in play for us at 39," Berry said. "Emmanuel, we just viewed it as a fantastic opportunity and someone who could, not only just from a pure talent standpoint, improve the room, but could also complement our existing core there.”
The Browns are slated for one more pick Friday night, No. 74, which they received in Thursday night's trade back with the Kansas City Chiefs. Barring any moves, the Browns will then hold seven picks in the remaining four rounds.
Here are the Browns' 2026 Draft Picks:
- Round 1: No. 9 overall: OT Spencer Fano
- Round 1: No. 24 overall: KC Concepcion
- Round 2: No. 39 overall: WR Denzel Boston
- Round 2: No. 58 overall: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
- Round 3: No. 86 overall: OT Austin Barber
- Round 5: No. 146 overall: OL Parker Brailsford
- Round 5: No. 149 overall: LB Justin Jefferson
- Round 5: No. 170 overall: TE Joe Royer
- Round 6: No. 182 overall: QB Taylen Green
- Round 7: No. 248 overall: TE Carsen Ryan
