Cleveland Browns Draft Pick Called Out Derrick Henry Before He Even Played A Snap In The NFL

The Cleveland Browns traded up to select Emmanuel McNeil-Warren with the No. 58 pick in the NFL Draft. He wants all of the smoke from Derrick Henry.

The soon-to-be rookie already called out the most physically dominant running back in the league before he even played a professional snap.

He already got his wish! McNeil-Warren will get to face Henry at least twice a year in the National Football League as the newest member of the AFC North.

Who is Emmanuel McNeil-Warren?

At 6-foot-3, 201 pounds, McNeil-Warren played safety at the University of Toledo. The 22-year-old second-round draft pick played all four years with the Rockets even though he had multiple opportunities to enter the transfer portal and get paid more money at a bigger-name program.

#Browns assistant GM Catherine Hickman said one thing that stood out to her about S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was the fact that he chose to remain at Toledo when he had other offers:

"He was loyal to the school that gave him a chance." pic.twitter.com/rIVMwoFIRB

— Leah Doherty (@LeahDohertyTV) April 25, 2026

McNeil-Warren made 68 total tackles in 2023, 61 tackles in 2024 and 77 tackles in 2025 with 13 career pass deflections, one sack, eight forced fumbles and five interceptions.

Although there is still a lot of room for improvement, especially when he is mismatched against the more elusive pass-catchers, he has an impressive tackle range and plays like a linebacker in how he covers the field— even from the weakside. McNeil-Warren is at his best in the box around the line of scrimmage with an uncanny ability to snatch balls out of seemingly open passing lanes with his fairly unassuming length.

This seems like a great fit with great value for the Cleveland Browns. The league in general is moving more toward a “positionless defense,” which will allow for their newest safety to spend time in the nickel position in that fifth defensive back role. He is an explosive big hitter with a high moto and impressive range off the hash. McNeil-Warren has serious Pro Bowl potential.

He already called out Derrick Henry.

One of Emmanuel McNeil-Warren’s biggest strengths is his aggression against the run. He is quick to the alley, from anywhere on the field, and explodes into ball-carriers.

But that was in college. At Toledo.

The running backs of the NFL are much bigger, stronger, and/or faster. McNeil-Warren is not intimidated.

The No. 58 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft told Kay Adams back in March that he wants all of the smoke. More specifically, he wants to tackle Derrick Henry. As in, the 6-foot-3, 252-pound running back who is notorious for running through and/or over much smaller safeties.