Daniel Jeremiah’s Latest NFL Mock Draft Sends Bold, Rising Prospect to Bears
Daniel Jeremiah’s latest NFL mock draft sends a rising Toledo safety to the Bears, a bold projection that’s quickly gaining traction.
The Chicago Bears may have an impact defender in their sights in the 2026 NFL Draft, and one of the most respected voices in draft media believes it could be an upgrade.
In his latest mock draft for NFL.com, Daniel Jeremiah sent Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to Chicago. It’s a projection that’s quickly gaining traction across the mock draft landscape, and one that could say a lot about how the Bears view their secondary heading into 2026.
Daniel Jeremiah Sees McNeil-Warren as Potential Upgrade Over Jaquan Brisker
Jeremiah didn’t just connect McNeil-Warren to the Bears; he made a statement that immediately grabs attention.
“McNeil-Warren has the size, length and playmaking ability to fill the void left by Jaquan Brisker -- in fact, I believe EMW would be an upgrade at the position.”
That’s a bold evaluation.
Brisker has been a foundational piece of Chicago’s defense, bringing physicality, instincts, and tone-setting energy since entering the league. Suggesting an upgrade isn’t about replacing a weak link; it’s about raising the ceiling of an already competitive defensive backfield.
Brisker departed Chicago in free agency. He signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Why This Bears Mock Draft Pick Is Gaining Serious Momentum
This isn’t just Daniel Jeremiah going out on a limb. McNeil-Warren is starting to show up consistently in Bears mock drafts across the industry, a sign that evaluators see a real connection between the player, the team, and the draft range.
The Bears began the 2026 offseason with real questions at safety. Both starters from 2025 (Brisker and Kevin Byard) are gone. Coby Bryant was one of Chicago's massive free-agent additions, but the starting job alongside him is still very much up for grabs.
The idea of adding a dynamic playmaker like McNeil-Warren next to Bryant is enticing.
What Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Would Bring to the Bears' Defense
At a glance, McNeil-Warren fits the profile of what the Bears have been building defensively.
He has length, range, and ball skills.
Those traits translate in today’s NFL, especially for defenses that rely on disguise and versatility on the back end. A safety like McNeil-Warren, who has the ability to cover ground and create turnovers, would fit right in with what made Chicago's defense shine at times in 2025.
Chicago continues to invest in young, ascending talent. Ryan Poles is identifying players who can grow alongside franchise quarterback Caleb Williams. McNeil-Warren would align perfectly with that long-term approach.
The Bigger Picture: What This Pick Signals for Chicago
The Bears’ offseason has been defined by patience and flexibility, not splash moves.
With three picks in the first two rounds this April, Poles has positioned the Chicago Bears to target impact players rather than reach for immediate needs. If McNeil-Warren is viewed as a potential long-term fixture, he'd fit exactly what the Bears are building -- and need -- on defense.
