The Official 2026 NFL Draft Thread

Ibleedbrown

And for McNeil-Warren:

Overview

Hometown: Tampa, FL
Birthday: January 8, 2004
Age: 22.3
Jersey: No. 7
High School: Lakewood
Year: Fourth-year senior

A three-year starter at Toledo, McNeil-Warren lined up as a boundary safety in former defensive coordinator Vince Kehres’ scheme (rotated to nickel and deep half during tempo). With five draft picks on defense over the past four years, former Toledo head coach (and current UConn head coach) Jason Candle developed a reputation for finding and developing talent with the Rockets — and McNeil-Warren is next up in the pipeline. He turned down transfer opportunities, and his trust in the Toledo staff paid off in his development over the past four years.

Thanks to his footwork and hips, McNeil-Warren is a fluid mover with functional range and improved instincts versus the pass, which allows him to mirror and match tight ends and running backs. He drives on the football in run support and took a master’s class on the “Peanut Punch.” You’d wish there was more meat on his bones and will want to see him continue to improve his take-on and tackle-finishing skills.

Dane’s takeaway

McNeil-Warren is an impressive size/speed athlete on the back end, who is at his best when roaming to read his keys, flow to the ball and quickly close space. He has the rangy tools to push for starting safety reps as an NFL rookie.

Film breakdown

Here’s everything you need to know about Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in Beast Breakdowns, a film breakdown partnership with our colleagues at “The Athletic Football Show.”

Combine stats

Tap any column header to see its definition. Scroll right to see more metrics.

STAT	HT	WT	HAND	ARM	WING	BP	10	20	40	VJ	BJ	SS	3C
Combine	6′3^1/2	201	9^1/4	32^1/8	78^1/4	DNP	1.58	2.61	4.52	35^1/2	10′2	DNP	DNP
Pro Day	6′3^1/4	213	9^1/4	32^1/2	76^3/8	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP

Note: Combine: Left hand measured; limited workout (choice).

Strengths

Tall, broad-shouldered body type and comfortable manning up tight ends in coverage
Controlled, fluid athlete who’s able to redirect and carry receiver routes
Long-legged and rangy, with adequate back-end speed
Good hands and ball skills (see diving interception on 2025 Central Michigan tape)
Has a knack for punching the ball out (nine career forced fumbles)
Plays assignment sound (stays home) and understands field leverage on back-side contain
Route anticipation took a jump between junior and senior seasons
Toggles speed in pursuit to avoid blockers and break down as open-field tackler
Not shy dropping his shoulder and driving through middle-field targets
Called for just one penalty in college (1,861 career defensive snaps)
NFL scouts say he was “highly loyal” when it came to transfer opportunities
Not very vocal but well respected in locker room (NFL scout: “No ego to him, and I really like his competitive confidence.”)

Weaknesses

Narrow through torso, with thin wrists/ankles
Overaggressive with run fits and late to course correct versus cutback runners
Needs to clean up tackling mechanics — too many ankle-biting attempts or examples of him throwing his shoulder
Inconsistent physicality when taking on contact in the box
Missed final five games of junior season because of shoulder injury (October 2024); missed part of senior season because of elbow fracture and concussion (September 2021)

College stats

Tap any column header to see its definition. Scroll right to see more metrics.

YEAR	SCHOOL	GP	GS	TKLS	TFL	SACK	FF	PD	INT
2022	Toledo	13	1	7	0	0	1	0	0
2023	Toledo	14	5	69	4	0	4	3	2
2024	Toledo	8	8	61	1.5	0.5	1	5	1
2025	Toledo	13	12	77	5.5	0.5	3	7	2

2023 Led MAC in FF
2024 Missed final five games (shoulder)
2025 Second Team All-American; First Team All-MAC; led team in FF; 37-yard INT TD

Background

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, one of nine children in his family (five boys, four girls), was born and raised in Tampa, Fla., by his mother (Sharona McNeil). He started playing football at age 7 as a quarterback, running back and wide receiver. McNeil-Warren didn’t have much of a relationship with his father (Tarus Horne) while growing up. Before high school, though, his mother had him move to St. Petersburg, Fla., to live with Horne, who was an offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Lakewood High. McNeil-Warren disagreed with the decision at the time, but they developed a close bond, and he now credits his father for being a role model and keeping him on track.

McNeil-Warren enrolled at Lakewood High School in Pinellas County, Fla., where he played on varsity all four seasons. Mostly a wide receiver throughout middle school, he expected to play on offense for his father, but the coaches moved him to safety and cornerback during his freshman year. As a sophomore, McNeil-Warren accounted for 17 tackles and one interception, as Lakewood started 12-0 before a loss in the 2019 playoff semifinals. He recorded 21 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble as a junior in 2020, during a COVID-19 pandemic-abbreviated season. McNeil-Warren missed several games as a senior because of a concussion and an elbow fracture — he finished with 65 tackles, three interceptions and one forced fumble. He tried basketball and track but quickly realized he wanted to be a football-only athlete.

A three-star recruit, McNeil-Warren was the 106th-ranked safety in the 2022 class and the No. 176 recruit in Florida. He received his first offer during his sophomore year after Toledo head coach Jason Candle (who was at Lakewood to recruit a different player) saw him playing around on the basketball court. In the spring of his sophomore year, McNeil-Warren picked up his first major offer, from Miami. After his junior season, he added offers from Indiana, Louisville, Kansas State and Maryland. He was leaning toward Indiana or Maryland, but schools started to back off his recruitment after his midseason injuries as a senior. Toledo stayed in contact, though, and McNeil-Warren committed during his school visit a few weeks before signing day. He was the sixth-ranked recruit in Candle’s 2022 class and became the first member of his family to attend college.

McNeil-Warren said he was tempted to enter the transfer portal after his junior year and move up to a major conference, but he stayed loyal to Toledo — as Toledo had stayed loyal to him as a recruit (McNeil-Warren: “I stayed because it’s family here. If not for Toledo, I don’t know where I would be.”). McNeil-Warren accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl but pulled out before the event because of a lingering injury.

Ibleedbrown

And Austin Barber:

Dane's takeaway Combine stats Strengths Weaknesses College stats Background

Overview

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Birthday: May 20, 2003
Age: 22.9
Jersey: No. 58
High School: Trinity Christian
Year: Fifth-year senior

A starter for three-and-a-half years at Florida, Barber lined up at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Russ Callaway’s balanced scheme. After battling injuries as a sophomore in 2023, he started all 25 games across his junior and senior seasons, earning All-SEC honors in 2025. He was inconsistent over his career, with high highs and low lows — and NFL teams are just as inconsistent in their evaluations of him.

Barber passes the eye test with his long frame and adequate muscle mass, and he has a basketball background as an athlete. However, he can be stressed by outside speed and gets walked backwards into the pocket by speed-to-power moves. His hands are erratic, in terms of punch tempo and placement, but he can displace bodies when he connects.

Dane’s takeaway

Barber has NFL size, tools and demeanor but needs to polish his timing and technique to hold up against next-level competition. He is a developmental swing tackle prospect, who might be better suited for a move to guard.

Combine stats

Tap any column header to see its definition. Scroll right to see more metrics.

STAT	HT	WT	HAND	ARM	WING	BP	10	20	40	VJ	BJ	SS	3C
Combine	6′6^7/8	318	9^5/8	33^1/8	80^1/4	DNP	1.76	2.95	5.12	32	9′3	DNP	DNP
Pro Day	6′6^3/4	317	9^5/8	33^3/4	81^3/8	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP

Note: Combine: Limited workout (choice).

Strengths

Looks the part — long, mid-cut frame and natural thickness in arms and thighs
Rangy on backside pulls in run game, turning the corner and flipping his hips (has basketball background)
Competes with a physical demeanor, especially on downhill duo blocks
Displays grip strength to latch and redirect defenders away from lanes
Comfortable using different depth points in pass sets
Uses firm stab techniques to reach, snatch and bury his man
Gritty competitor and plays through pain (NFL scout: “Showed better maturity in 2025. … (He) actually took less NIL (money) to stay put.”)
Quality starting resume — 39 career starts, including time at both tackle spots

Weaknesses

Taller posture and average lateral range as a pass blocker
Too many “all-or-nothing” punch attempts that often backfire, leaving him susceptible to inside moves
Shaky anchor and loses balance when attempting to sit down vs. power
Doesn’t always roll his hips into contact to fully unlock body strength in run game
Flag magnet over career, committing 29 penalties over past four seasons (seven in 2025)
Ankle and left shoulder injuries as sophomore, which sidelined him for three games (and parts of others); shoulder injury required offseason surgery (Jan. 2024) and made him a non-contact participant for spring practices

College stats

Tap any column header to see its definition.

YEAR	SCHOOL	GP	GS	POS
2021	Florida	3	0	—
2022	Florida	13	5	RT
2023	Florida	9	9	LT
2024	Florida	13	13	LT
2025	Florida	12	12	LT

2021 Redshirted; enrolled June 2021
2023 Missed three games (ankle, left shoulder)
2025 Third Team All-SEC

Background

Austin Barber was raised in Jacksonville, Fla., by his parents. Growing up with two older stepbrothers and an older half-brother, he developed his athleticism and competitiveness throughout childhood. One of his older brothers (Zane Cruz), whom Barber refers to as his “role model,” played linebacker at Charleston Southern (2014-17) before getting into coaching. Barber was a multi-sport athlete as a kid and played quarterback and linebacker throughout youth football before moving to the offensive line in high school. His family — especially his father (Mark) — is full of diehard Florida Gators fans. His long-term girlfriend (Reagan Walsh) was an All-SEC softball player at Florida (2022-25).

Barber originally attended Yulee High School, alma mater of NFL running back Derrick Henry. Barber moved up to varsity as a freshman and played on the offensive line for two seasons (Yulee won just three games in both the 2017 and 2018 seasons). Prior to his junior season, he transferred to Trinity Christian Academy, a private Christian school in Jacksonville, for better recruiting exposure. As a junior, Barber started both ways as a left tackle and defensive lineman. As a senior, he was named Class 3A offensive player of the year and helped lead Trinity Christian to a 12-1 record and the 2020 Class 3A state championship. Barber also lettered in basketball at Trinity Christian.

A three-star recruit, Barber was the 47th-ranked offensive tackle in the 2021 class and the No. 79 recruit in Florida. After transferring to Trinity Christian as a junior, he picked up his first scholarship offer, from Coastal Carolina (September 2019). Later in his junior season, Barber added his first offer from a major conference (North Carolina). Between his junior and senior seasons, he picked up offers from Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh and Utah. Barber meshed well with the Minnesota coaches and committed to the Gophers the summer before his senior year. However, he reopened his recruitment in November 2020 after hearing from several programs closer to home. Having grown up a Gators fan, Barber took multiple visits to Gainesville, Fla., but an offer never arrived. He was planning to sign with Miami midway through December 2020, until Florida surprised him with an offer on December 17 (one day after he’d won a state title). Barber committed on the spot and was the ninth-ranked recruit in Dan Mullen’s final Gators class.

He was a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient and graduated with a degree in education sciences (December 2024). Barber accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

calfoxwc

I hope the squeeler stadium bathrooms flood. I hope the rivers are fouled with muskrats and sewage.

lol

We got Boston in the second round, but the squeelers took my 2nd round pick Germie, wr.

then, in the third round, the dirtbags drafted my 4th round qb, Allar. Too bad I didn't do a squeeler draft.

dammit. lol

gumby73 · May 20, 2003

@ibleedbrown said:

And Austin Barber:

Warhop once coached a Toledo G named John Greco at the Browns,3rd round pick #65 John_Greco.jpg.8bc7524ab05df690f2b2ee7072a330d3.jpg images.jpg.2a2289ae3ce582fc96a8dc9e31222ad9.jpg Yeah ! Warhop got his Greco Back! He'll Coach him up!

ballpeen

@dutch-oven said:

Yikes.

There’s some OLinemen still on the board that makes me wonder about this pick

I think he is being looked at as a guard. He is a beast in run blocking and in a box he will be a good pass blocker. At tackle his problem was lateral movement which could lead to being off balance. Inside, he won't have those problems. He will have the ability to move outside if pressed in to action but I think he is viewed as a starting guard in a year.

TexasAg1969

@ballpeen said:

I think he is being looked at as a guard. He is a beast in run blocking and in a box he will be a good pass blocker. At tackle his problem was lateral movement which could lead to being off balance. Inside, he won't have those problems. He will have the ability to move outside if pressed in to action but I think he is viewed as a starting guard in a year.

And we needed one since this is Bitonio's last year if it wasn't 2025. That is still unclear.

Gator

Not to speak too soon, but are these how AB's drafts look when DePo is not involved?

Flugel

@sdbacker80 said:

We talked about this a month ago - this went into my armchair GM decision.

Fano had the accolades. Lomu was youngish but played and better projected at the LT spot which we had folks pounding the table about NEED. Fano played a little LT early but moved to RT with Lomu’s emergence.

This lead me to “stay the hell away from either at 6” technically we did we picked Fano at 9.

I am salty today because some of us said we could get a LT at 24. Myles is gone folks. If not June 1, in 2027 or 2028. Ward is getting old and concussed often. We need an emerging leader and lo and behold one was there at 6.

We did! Nothing wrong with anything you said above. Don't worry about getting salty when you're passionate about our team. We have fun in here together whether we're agreeing or clarifying where we're coming from.

I think we saw the Browns drafted someone they want to develop at LT in round 3 - assuring me they have big plans for Fano but it ain't at LT. Again, he did some snapping at the Combine and the team running those OL drills was the Browns. This Browns have 3 Interior OL positions to fill - and at least 2/3s of those ae BIG shoes to fill.

nickers

@gator said:

Not to speak too soon, but are these how AB's drafts look when DePo is not involved?

I was just thinking about this fact... Soon as DePo left the vibe of this team seems much different..

gumby73

@gator said:

Not to speak too soon, but are these how AB's drafts look when DePo is not involved?

I still believe Berry is stuck in the Shasi Brown/Depo age & RAS scores guardrails.. Jack Duffin does a great job on this long process..

I'm of the thinking? That Berry may have had Lemon & Markell Bell in his pick cue.. Philly may have jumped his pick twice. Rumors also say, Monken wanted/met with Ga. TE Oscar Delp..Delp went #73 & Berry traded with NYG's the next pick #74.. (? we'll never get the truth of)

Great work Jack ! https://247sports.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/longformarticle/updated-cleveland-browns-2026-age-ras-guardrails-draft-board-heading-into-day-three-283115351/

Berry has shown a covid season discount, while sticking to picks under 23 yo.. Austin Barber was his only pick that the Browns never had a combine nor 30 team visit. 4 of the 5 picks did meet

Solid 2 Days Andrew Berry !

tiamat63

The phrase I keep seeing repeated, re: the OL picks is "they have versatility". I understand that, I don't disagree with it either.

However that is what your depth is for - versatility when *needed*. My starting 5 need to be my specialists. The OL is unique in football that its function is so synced & uniform.

The 1st round is designed to find my specialists. I feel the Browns have failed in that regard.

Re: Austin Barber. I have all-22 from the last 2 years of the Gators offense. I wasn't watching him, but I can tell you their Oline play wasn't impressive. I'll do my due diligence and report back.

Dutch Oven

@gator said:

Not to speak too soon, but are these how AB's drafts look when DePo is not involved?

Kind of hard not to see the trend, isn't it?

Dutch Oven

@flugel said:

We did! Nothing wrong with anything you said above. Don't worry about getting salty when you're passionate about our team. We have fun in here together whether we're agreeing or clarifying where we're coming from.

I think we saw the Browns drafted someone they want to develop at LT in round 3 - assuring me they have big plans for Fano but it ain't at LT. Again, he did some snapping at the Combine and the team running those OL drills was the Browns. This Browns have 3 Interior OL positions to fill - and at least 2/3s of those ae BIG shoes to fill.

I agree with ballpeen, I think Barber probably is being looked at as a guard.

I think the Browns think Fano is a guy versatile enough to play almost anywhere on the OLine, and at worst he isn't great as a LT but can move somewhere else if needed and thrive, and if that happens they find a LT in the future, a la what is happening now in New England with Will Campbell. It's not optimal I admit, taking a guy in the top 10 who ends up being your starting RT/OG.... but they feel confident he will be a very good OLineman somewhere on the OLine. I think the Browns feel he can be a good LT though, I don't think this is a shot in the dark, but he gives them obvious options. He's not a "Boom or Bust" guy. One way or another, we got ourselves a good starter, but where is to be decided.

I don't think it's going to happen honestly, but if - and I can't stress the word IF enough - Sanders develops into an above average starting QB, well the fate of our franchise would change dramatically for the positive. You could go into next year's draft not needing to go balls out for a QB at the top of the first, the world would be the Browns oyster.

Dutch Oven

@tiamat63 said:

The phrase I keep seeing repeated, re: the OL picks is "they have versatility". I understand that, I don't disagree with it either.

However that is what your depth is for - versatility when *needed*. My starting 5 need to be my specialists. The OL is unique in football that its function is so synced & uniform.

The 1st round is designed to find my specialists. I feel the Browns have failed in that regard.

Re: Austin Barber. I have all-22 from the last 2 years of the Gators offense. I wasn't watching him, but I can tell you their Oline play wasn't impressive. I'll do my due diligence and report back.

The Barber selection is the one pick I'm scratching my head about.

I was kind of 'eh' about Concepcion - and I was the first guy on here to mention I really liked what he could bring this team way back in the fall - until they took Boston. I wanted Omar Cooper at 24, but since they took Boston I really like the KCC pick. I think they should complement each other very well.

But I feel like there were better OLineman on the board when they took Barber.

Gator

@dutch-oven said:

Kind of hard not to see the trend, isn't it?

100%

Not trying to say that AB is some draft God all of a sudden, but to me, it's night and day.

Seems they are drafting football players now and not SPARQ studs.

Dutch Oven

@gator said:

100%

Not trying to say that AB is some draft God all of a sudden, but to me, it's night and day.

Seems they are drafting football players now and not SPARQ studs.

Yep. Or guys who are a good combination of both.

Dutch Oven

What picks do we have for Day 3?

gumby73

enough ammo to move into 4th round

Round 5, Pick No.146
Round 5, Pick No. 148 (from KC):
Round 5, Pick No. 149:(from Cinn.)
Round 5, Pick No. 152 (from 49'ers):
Round 7, Pick No. 248:
Round 4 2027 NYG

Dutch Oven

@gumby73 said:

enough ammo to move into 4th round

Round 5, Pick No.146

Round 5, Pick No. 148 (from KC):

Round 5, Pick No. 149:(from Cinn.)

Round 5, Pick No. 152 (from 49'ers):

Round 7, Pick No. 248:

Round 4 2027 NYG

Thank you!

Dutch Oven

So I was talking up Will Kacmarak from Ohio State as a good in-line TE complement to Harold Fannin and put him in my mock draft (I think in the 6th round?) kind of thinking it might be somewhat of a homer pick. Good blocking, limited athletic/receiving TEs are good candidates to become priority free agents...

Imagine my surprise when he was drafted last night in the 3rd round!