The New England Patriots overhauled their safety position in 2025, moving on from both of their previous starters in favor of a new setup. But while Craig Woodson appears locked into a long-term starting role as one of the spiritual heirs to Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, the future of the other spot still remains unclear.
Kevin Byard, who joined on a one-year, $7 million deal in March to effectively replace 2025 starter Jaylinn Hawkins, is coming off an All-Pro season as the NFL’s interception
leader. However, given his contract situation and the fact that he will be 33 come the regular season, Byard does not appear to be a building block player for the future.
And so, the Patriots might be looking toward the draft to address that issue. If they do, Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren seems like a potential target.
Hard facts
Name: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Position: Safety
School: Toledo (Sr.)
Opening day age: 22 (1/8/2004)
Measurements: 6’3 1/2”, 201 lbs, 32 1/8” arm length, 9 1/4” hand size, 4.52s 40-yard dash, 35 1/2” vertical jump, 10’2” broad jump, 9.01 Relative Athletic Score
Experience
Colleges: Toledo (2022-25)
Career statistics: 48 games (26 starts) | 1,861 defensive snaps, 341 special teams snaps | 214 tackles, 25 missed tackles (10.5%), 11 TFLs, 9 FFs, 2 FRs | 8 QB pressures (1.0 sack, 3 hits, 4 hurries) | 62 targets, 34 catches surrendered (54.8%), 403 yards, 3 TDs, 5 INTs (incl. 1 TD), 15 PBUs | 12 special teams tackles, 5 missed special teams tackles (29.4%) | 2 penalties (incl. 0 declined/offsetting)
Accolades: First-team All-MAC (2025), Third-team All-American (2025)
A three-star recruit, McNeil-Warren was the recipient of several scholarship offers. However, some colleges backed out again after injuries hampered him during his senior season at Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, FL. He eventually opted to commit to the school that was first to offer him.
McNeil-Warren went on to spend his entire four-year career at Toledo, appearing in 48 games with 26 starts. A part time player as a freshman, he became a fixture in the secondary as well as one of the best defenders in the MAC over his final three seasons as a Rocket. Those included a 2025 senior campaign that saw him set several career highs and score his first career touchdown, when he returned an interception 37 yards. McNeil-Warren was named first-team all-conference after the season.
Draft profile
Projected round: 1-2 | Consensus big board: No. 25 | Patriots meeting: 30 visit
Strengths: Standing at over 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds (he measured 213 at his pro day), McNeil-Warren is a well-built defender who has the length and speed to eliminate tight ends when asked to follow them 1-on-1. He is also able to do so because he is a generally fluid mover with quick hips to adjust his coverage as well as the range to be a sideline-to-sideline presence. He has shown a good feel for route concepts when aligned deep but also is capable of providing run support in the box.
McNeil-Warren has shown that he is familiar with the hit stick, both when playing the run and at the catch point to disrupt pass attempts. He has some Christian Gonzalez to him, in that he isn’t the loudest but lets his play do the talking. And that it does: the 22-year-old is a tone setter on the field who is looking for contact and has shown a knack for getting after the ball and making plays. He forced nine fumbles in his career and intercepted five passes.
Weaknesses: McNeil-Warren is tall but not necessarily big or strong, which could become problematic when taking on tight ends at the next level or trying to get off blocks. He has solid speed but not the fastest get-off and needs to be on point with his reads not to come in late against superior athletes than the ones he faced in the MAC, something that was not always the case in college. He also can get caught by double moves or find himself out of place when looking to go for the big play and assert his aggressiveness.
Patriots preview
What would be his role? With Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson atop the depth chart, McNeil-Warren would project as a third safety upon joining the Patriots. While that might limit his top-level reps, he still would be a package player and possible special teams presence. Overall, the goal in 2025 would be to prepare him for a starting role from 2026 on.
Does he have positional versatility? McNeil-Warren is an all-around safety. He can play in one- or two-deep shells, maneuver in zone or be used in man coverage, and play both as a deep-fielder and a box safety. In addition, he has experience on kickoff coverage as well as both return teams.
What is his growth potential? While already a good player, McNeil-Warren has some work to do to reach is potential. He needs to add to his frame, work on his recognition and aggressiveness, and adjust his play style from the MAC to the NFL. If he can do all those things upon entering the league, he should become a serviceable starter and three-down defender as early as his second season.
Why the Patriots? Even though the Patriots relied heavily on two-safety sets in 2025, adding McNeil-Warren to the mix still makes sense. He would bring some long-term stability to the position Kevin Byard might not be able to provide, and has the versatile skillset the team covets. New England might have bigger needs on paper, but if he is on the board at No. 31, he might just be the best player available.
Why not the Patriots? Besides the fact that the team simply might want to go in a different direction in the first round, McNeil-Warren also simply might not be around when New England is on the clock. Coincidentally, Kevin Byard’s former team, the Bears, look like they might go after him at No. 25 overall.
One-sentence verdict: McNeil-Warren is a rangy and versatile safety whose addition would help stabilize the Patriots’ secondary for years to come.
For more information about Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and the rest of this year’s class of prospects, please take a look at Adam’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide.
Also, what do you think about McNeil-Warren as a potential Patriots target? Do you like him? Where would you pick him? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.
