Bears Target Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to Fix Secondary in New Mock Draft
A new mock draft links the Bears to Emmanuel McNeil-Warren as Chicago looks to address a major need in the secondary.
The Chicago Bears’ secondary looks different heading into 2026. It's a reality that continues to show up in 2026 NFL mock drafts.
A new first-round mock from Bleacher Report sticks with that theme and sends Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to Chicago at No. 25.
It's a pick that reflects how much the Bears' safety position has shifted this offseason, and their need to find a starter opposite Coby Bryant.
Safety Became a Priority Quickly for the Bears in 2026
The Bears didn’t just tweak their safety room this offseason. It's been completely reset.
Both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker moved on in free agency, leaving Chicago without its starting safety duo from 2025. Ryan Poles responded by signing Bryant, but that move alone doesn’t fully stabilize the position.
Only Cam Lewis remains as a viable starter opposite Bryant. Sure, Lewis is a solid player. But the Bears need a higher-upside option in 2026.
That’s where this mock draft projection comes into focus.
Why Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Fits the Bears' Needs
McNeil-Warren offers a different type of presence than what the Bears currently have on the roster.
At 6-foot-3 and around 200 pounds, he brings size and physicality to the position. He’s the kind of defensive back who can play downhill while also matching up with bigger offensive weapons.
MORE: Zion Young Emerging as Perfect Fit for Bears at No. 25 in 2026 NFL Draft
"His instincts are better than he gets credit for, and the 6'3", 201-pound defensive back brings a unique body-type to the secondary, with the ability to mix it up with NFL tight ends and tackle in the run game," Bleacher Report's Daniel Harms wrote.
McNeil Warren's Potential Role in Chicago’s Defense
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen values safeties who can do more than just patrol the deep field.
He wants players who can:
- Support the run
- Match up with tight ends
- Rotate across different alignments
McNeil-Warren’s profile lines up with that philosophy. And considering safety is one of the Bears' biggest needs entering NFL Draft weekend, he seems like a logical projection at this point in the process.
Pairing him with Bryant would give the Bears an exciting safety duo that the team can rely on being together for several years to come.
McNeil-Warren ended the 2025 season with 77 tackles and two interceptions, bringing his career numbers to 214 tackles and seven interceptions during his time at Toledo.
How Realistic Is McNeil-Warren to the Bears?
The connection between Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and the Chicago Bears makes sense on paper.
The Bears have a clear need at safety, and this draft class offers options early. If Chicago chooses to address the position in the first round, a player with McNeil-Warren’s size and versatility would make sense, especially because he'd like be the top safety on the board at No. 25 overall.
MORE: 6 First-Round Prospects Who Make Sense for Bears at No. 25 in 2026 Draft
At the same time, it’s not the only path that Poles can take in the first round.
The Bears still have needs along the defensive front and on the offensive line. That could push safety into Day 2, depending on how the board falls.
The Bears' Bottom Line
The latest round of 2026 mock drafts is starting to reflect what the Chicago Bears’ roster already shows: they need a starting safety.
McNeil-Warren fits that need with a blend of size, physicality, and versatility that would immediately upgrade the position. And with the top safety in the 2026 draft class -- Oregon's Dillon Thieneman -- likely off the board by the time the Bears pick, McNeil-Warren becomes the next most-logical target.
As the 2026 draft gets closer, don’t be surprised if this connection continues to gain traction.
