NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein stated that selecting Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at the 21st overall pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers would be premature. Reacting to a mock draft projection, Zierlein suggested the team would likely draft an offensive lineman or trade back instead. McNeil-Warren visited the Steelers before the draft and ranks as the third-best safety prospect.
On the Heed the Call podcast, analyst Marc Sessler projected McNeil-Warren to the Steelers at No. 21. Zierlein pushed back, saying, “Yeah, McNeil-Warren’s too early. That’s an X, and they’re gonna probably draft offensive line, or trade back.” The Steelers hold the 21st pick and have strengthened their safety depth but hosted McNeil-Warren for a pre-draft visit, the only such safety prospect with first-round potential they met in that way. McNeil-Warren stands out as a tall, physical player who dominated the MAC against the run. He brings strong tackling technique and can handle larger receivers in man coverage, though his zone instincts require further development. Scouts rank him behind blue-chip prospect Caleb Downs, expected early in the draft, and Dillon Thieneman, projected for the first round's middle. Some analysts disagree on the timing. Peter Schrager recently predicted that Downs, Thieneman, and McNeil-Warren could all go before the Steelers' turn. The Steelers face needs on the offensive line, with Broderick Jones recovering from a neck injury and Isaac Seumalo departing at left guard. With 12 draft picks already, Pittsburgh might trade back slightly for extra selections if no clear target remains at 21.
