An Underrated Safety the Cowboys Should Consider in the 2026 NFL Draft
With the NFL combine concluding at the beginning of March, several standout names have emerged on the defensive side of the ball, capturing the attention of the Cowboys. Obviously, the big-name college stars like Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles stood out from the rest of the pack. Styles has arguably had the best combine performance out of any player there, significantly boosting his stock, which is definitely something the Cowboys could benefit from or get hurt by. However, safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from the University of Toledo has also demonstrated that he has the potential to be a first-round selection by the Cowboys.
McNeil-Warren had a solid day at the combine, running a 4.52 second 40-yard dash and a 35.5-inch vertical, all while being six feet and four inches tall. With all his physical abilities, he excelled in various roles during his college career. In college, McNeil-Warren recorded over 214 tackles, five interceptions, and 13 pass breakups and earned second-team All-American honors in 2025. He excelled at supporting the run defense and showed the ability to cover significant ground in the passing game, outperforming most safeties of his size. If the Cowboys choose to use their late first-round pick on him, it will be because defensive coordinator Christian Parker believes he can get the best out of him.
Parker has been known for being able to develop and produce several defensive backs in the NFL. Players like Jaire Alexander, Patrick Surtain II, and Cooper DeJean credit Parker for helping them become the players they are, and McNeil-Warren has everything that is needed to be another one of those players. When Parker revealed that he is primarily concentrating on a three-four defensive scheme, McNeil-Warren aligns well with many of the responsibilities required of a safety in this system. He contributes to the run defense by positioning himself in the box, and he possesses the ability to address coverage issues on the back end. Everyone knows the issues that Dallas had last season in the secondary, and with a new defensive coordinator, having the ability to fix one of those positions with a first round pick is huge. McNeil-Warren may not be the most glamorous pick by conventional standards; however, he is a player from whom Parker can maximize potential and who could become a significant part of the Cowboys' future.
