The Chicago Bears are projected to select Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, per Athlon Sports analyst Luke Easterling. The projection lands March 24, 2026, after two starting safeties departed in the same offseason — a double exit that left Chicago’s defensive backfield structurally thin.
Free agency provided one answer. The Bears signed Coby Bryant, but a second starting spot still sits vacant. Losing both Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker stripped Chicago of proven snap-count volume at safety — a gap no single signing fully closes.
Chicago Bears Safety Depth Chart After Free Agency
The Chicago Bears safety depth chart carries real structural risk after the Byard and Brisker departures. Coby Bryant fills one starting role, but the second spot stays open — a vacancy that matters in coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense, where two-high shell and cover-3 rotations demand a reliable back-line partner.
Safeties in Chicago’s scheme logged among the highest snap counts of any position group last season, making this void more than cosmetic. Kevin Byard III brought three Pro Bowl selections and a decade of NFL starting experience. Jaquan Brisker, younger and still ascending, had been the Bears’ long-term investment at the spot before his exit.
Together, their departures created a cap-space opportunity but a coverage liability the numbers say cannot be papered over with a depth signing alone. That math pushed general manager Ryan Poles toward a two-pronged approach: free agency to fill one gap, the draft to fill the other.
Why Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Fits the Bears’ Defense
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren profiles as a strong schematic match for what the Chicago Bears need behind their defensive line. Easterling noted McNeil-Warren has “flown under the radar” partly because of his mid-major Toledo background, but assessed him as “a very good player” who “should find success in the NFL”. That undervaluation by the broader draft market could work in Chicago’s favor at pick No. 25.
Playing at Toledo rather than a Power Four program suppresses pre-draft visibility — fewer national broadcast reps, fewer marquee matchups on tape. The film on McNeil-Warren, however, reportedly shows the instincts and range that translate regardless of conference affiliation.
Easterling graded the potential selection an “A+” addition for Chicago, a mark that reflects both positional need and perceived value at that draft slot. For Poles, identifying players whose market value lags behind on-field production has been a consistent front-office thread since he took over the roster.
Allen’s system rewards safeties who process quickly, rotate into the box, and communicate pre-snap adjustments. Based on Easterling’s projection, McNeil-Warren checks those boxes. The difference between a competent starter and a below-average one at safety can swing turnover margin by three to four possessions over a full season — a gap that separates playoff contenders from 8-9 teams in the NFC North.
What the Coby Bryant Signing Actually Solves
Coby Bryant’s addition addressed one starting safety slot for the Chicago Bears, but roster construction math still requires a second reliable starter. Bryant, a former Cincinnati Bearcat who entered the league as a cornerback before shifting to safety, brings positional versatility — an asset in a scheme that asks defensive backs to rotate between roles based on personnel groupings.
Easterling labeled the Bryant deal “a big addition,” yet immediately flagged the remaining need at the second starting spot. The salary cap details of Bryant’s contract are not fully reported, but Poles appears to be managing the books carefully — using free agency for one gap while preserving draft capital for the second.
That sequence is textbook roster construction for a team that cannot overpay at every position of need at once. Chicago holds the 25th pick, a slot that historically sits in the sweet spot for safety prospects who grade as first-round talents without generating top-ten hype. Drafting at 25 is the more cap-efficient route, preserving flexibility for offensive line and pass-rush additions Poles also needs to address.
Chicago Bears’ Path to a Full Defensive Backfield
Chicago’s road to a functional two-safety unit runs through either the April 24-26 draft or a subsequent trade. The No. 25 pick gives the Bears enough capital to select McNeil-Warren outright or use it as currency for an established starter, depending on how the board falls.
The Bears’ offseason arc — from the Bryant signing through draft night — will define whether the back end of this defense can support what is expected to be a more aggressive offensive identity under Caleb Williams in 2026. Allen’s defense logged 20 sacks and 10 interceptions in its first season running the Bears’ scheme, numbers that climb when the safety tandem communicates cleanly in the deep half. A healthy, functional pairing at the position is not optional for a team with NFC North aspirations.
Easterling cited McNeil-Warren’s Toledo background as a factor suppressing his pre-draft profile, suggesting the Bears could land a first-round talent without top-ten buzz.
McNeil-Warren’s “A+” grade from Easterling reflects both the Bears’ positional need and the perceived value available at pick 25 — not just raw talent evaluation.
Chicago lost both starting safeties in one offseason cycle, leaving zero proven starters at the position before the Bryant signing.
The Bears’ two-pronged approach — free agency plus draft — mirrors how Poles handled the offensive line rebuild in prior cycles, targeting complementary pieces rather than one expensive solution.
McNeil-Warren would join a secondary that also includes cornerback Jaylon Johnson, giving Chicago a young, developing back four if the Toledo product steps in as a starter in Year 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Emmanuel McNeil-Warren?
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a safety from the University of Toledo projected to the Chicago Bears at No. 25 in the 2026 NFL Draft. Athlon Sports analyst Luke Easterling described him as a mid-major prospect who has “flown under the radar” despite grading as a first-round talent. Toledo competes in the MAC, a conference that historically produces fewer high-profile draft prospects than Power Four leagues.
Why did the Chicago Bears lose two starting safeties in one offseason?
Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker both departed Chicago in the 2026 offseason. Byard, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, had signed a short-term deal with the Bears after years with the Tennessee Titans. Brisker, a second-round pick from the 2022 draft class, had dealt with injury concerns during his tenure in Chicago before his exit from the roster.
What pick do the Chicago Bears hold in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Chicago Bears hold the 25th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. The draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026. Pick No. 25 falls in the range where safety prospects with first-round grades but limited national exposure have historically been available, making it a viable slot for a mid-major talent like McNeil-Warren.
How does Coby Bryant fit the Chicago Bears’ defensive scheme?
Bryant entered the NFL as a cornerback out of Cincinnati before converting to safety, giving him the positional flexibility that coordinator Dennis Allen values in his two-high and cover-3 defensive system. He was characterized as “a big addition” by Easterling, though the analyst noted the Bears still require a second starting-caliber safety to complete the starting tandem.
What grade did Athlon Sports give a potential McNeil-Warren pick?
Athlon Sports analyst Luke Easterling assigned an “A+” grade to the projected selection of Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at No. 25 for the Chicago Bears. That mark accounts for both the Bears’ clear need at safety and the value proposition of landing a player with first-round talent at a pick outside the top 20, where contract costs are meaningfully lower.
Jake Whitmore is a small-town Texas reporter who worked his way up from covering Friday night high school football to the NFL. With over nine years in sports journalism, Jake writes like he is talking to fans at a tailgate -- direct, passionate, and full of the enthusiasm that makes football Sundays special. He covers game previews, roster moves, and the fan perspective on every major NFL storyline.
Leave a Reply