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purplefaithful · 02-06-2026, 10:49 AM

19. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 202

Admittedly, this is one of my favorite overall prospects of the entire class, as McNeil-Warren is set to join recent draftees Quinyon Mitchell and Darius Alexander in the Toledo pipeline. McNeil-Warren is a rangy safety who emerged as the top Group of 5 prospect after an injury-shortened 2024. His 20% defensive completion percentage allowed was the best among all FBS defensive backs last season. He primarily played free safety for Toledo and allowed only three catches in his coverage last season. His tackling needs improvement, as he comes in too hot and must be more consistent in finishing, but scouts rave about McNeil-Warren as a Round 1 prospect.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story...-positions

supafreak84 · 02-06-2026, 11:02 AM

I'm never in favor of taking safeties in the 1st round unless you are drafting Sean Taylor, but McNeil-Warren looks to have some of that in him.

To me, this is the most difficult draft to try and project exactly what the Vikings are going to do. There's a wide range of needs, we now have a Triangle of authority figuring things out, and this to me us an underwhelming talent pool in this draft.

MaroonBells · 02-06-2026, 11:11 AM

(02-06-2026, 10:49 AM)purplefaithful Wrote: 19. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 202

Admittedly, this is one of my favorite overall prospects of the entire class, as McNeil-Warren is set to join recent draftees Quinyon Mitchell and Darius Alexander in the Toledo pipeline. McNeil-Warren is a rangy safety who emerged as the top Group of 5 prospect after an injury-shortened 2024. His 20% defensive completion percentage allowed was the best among all FBS defensive backs last season. He primarily played free safety for Toledo and allowed only three catches in his coverage last season. His tackling needs improvement, as he comes in too hot and must be more consistent in finishing, but scouts rave about McNeil-Warren as a Round 1 prospect.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story...-positions

I can't comment on the ins and outs of EMW yet, but I'd love to draft a safety there...or a corner...or a DL...or a LB. We're probably too low for Styles or Downs.

Since we're likely moving on from Jonathan Allen, and DTs have good value at 18, I'm leaning in that direction at the moment. Did a mock draft recently where I took DT Peter Woods at 18 and couldn't pass up NT Lee Hunter in the 2nd (maybe Flores changes his mind about NTs?), RB Coleman and LB Rodriguez in the 3rd. Have to admit, that made me salivate a little. Of course we'd have to fill the DB needs in free agency.

purplefaithful · (This post was last modified: 02-06-2026, 11:24 AM by purplefaithful.)

(02-06-2026, 11:02 AM)supafreak84 Wrote: I'm never in favor of taking safeties in the 1st round unless you are drafting Sean Taylor, but McNeil-Warren looks to have some of that in him.

To me, this is the most difficult draft to try and project exactly what the Vikings are going to do. There's a wide range of needs, we now have a Triangle of authority figuring things out, and this to me us an underwhelming talent pool in this draft.

There are some very good Edge's/OL coming out this year.

Hell, they might get tempted with some of the WR talent if there is a drop, especially with all the questions on Addison. That would floor me though.

Anyone hoping for Love? Better be drafting in the top 10 me thinks..

supafreak84 · 02-06-2026, 02:34 PM

(02-06-2026, 11:11 AM)purplefaithful Wrote: There are some very good Edge's/OL coming out this year.

Hell, they might get tempted with some of the WR talent if there is a drop, especially with all the questions on Addison. That would floor me though.

I'd be totally good taking an offensive lineman or receiver at 18. Lemon is my favorite receiver in this class, but someone who's caught my eye is Denzel Boston. 6'4" 210 catches everything. He just moves like an NFL player out there and would give us a different type of weapon at receiver. He's a Tet McMillan type

dadevike · 02-06-2026, 06:46 PM

(02-06-2026, 10:49 AM)purplefaithful Wrote: 19. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 202

Admittedly, this is one of my favorite overall prospects of the entire class, as McNeil-Warren is set to join recent draftees Quinyon Mitchell and Darius Alexander in the Toledo pipeline. McNeil-Warren is a rangy safety who emerged as the top Group of 5 prospect after an injury-shortened 2024. His 20% defensive completion percentage allowed was the best among all FBS defensive backs last season. He primarily played free safety for Toledo and allowed only three catches in his coverage last season. His tackling needs improvement, as he comes in too hot and must be more consistent in finishing, but scouts rave about McNeil-Warren as a Round 1 prospect.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story...-positions

I think this draft is really deep at safety. But I don't like any safety at 18 other than Downs, and he will likely be long gone by then.

CB is also deep. McCoy or Delane might be hard to pass on.

If Peter Woods or Caleb Banks are there at 18, I would take them - Woods over Banks but I'm good with either.

I don't like any Center in the first and would prefer to wait until day 3 to take one.

There are a few RBs I really like. Forget about Love. He, like Downs, will likely be gone by 18. I love Jadarian Price, but he will continue to move up during the draft process. I expect him to go in the second round. (For a late round RB, see Robert Henry Jr. (UTSA).)

If Woods, McCoy, Delane, Downs, Love, and Styles are all gone - as expected - I would prefer a trade back to accumulate more second and/or third round picks. But that requires another team to want to move up.

purplefaithful · 02-06-2026, 07:11 PM

(02-06-2026, 02:34 PM)supafreak84 Wrote: I'd be totally good taking an offensive lineman or receiver at 18. Lemon is my favorite receiver in this class, but someone who's caught my eye is Denzel Boston. 6'4" 210 catches everything. He just moves like an NFL player out there and would give us a different type of weapon at receiver. He's a Tet McMillan type

I luv me some Elijah Sarratt at WR...

supafreak84 · 02-06-2026, 07:45 PM

(02-06-2026, 07:11 PM)purplefaithful Wrote: I luv me some Elijah Sarratt at WR...

Same!!! Second round target for sure

IceRatz16 · Yesterday, 09:02 AM

(02-06-2026, 07:11 PM)purplefaithful Wrote: I luv me some Elijah Sarratt at WR...

I do as well. He reminds me of a shorter version Mike Evans. I'd take that in the second round for sure.

purplefaithful · Yesterday, 11:47 AM

(02-06-2026, 07:45 PM)supafreak84 Wrote: Same!!! Second round target for sure

(Yesterday, 09:02 AM)IceRatz16 Wrote: I do as well. He reminds me of a shorter version Mike Evans. I'd take that in the second round for sure.

I don't know what his scouting stats will look like?

But I know a player when I see one. Dude just makes plays, clutch, he's a dawg in a WR body.

Nice compliment to Jettas.