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Grading Browns S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren's Week 4 NFL game vs. Steelers
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- Grading Browns S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren's Week 4 NFL game vs. Steelers
The Browns have placed a lot of faith in their last two rookie classes.
The rookie class of 2025 showed some promise over the course of its first year. The class of 2026 is now in the spotlight with the season underway.
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The 2026 rookies have played a big role in the Browns' 3-1 start to the season, most recently in a 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers . This will look specifically at one rookie and assess his performance in that game.
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This week it's safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, the Browns' second second-round selection. The No. 58 pick out of the University of Toledo was drafted to be an impact player both in the box and in coverage, and he did both against the Steelers.
Time to dive into the third edition of this year's "Grading the rookies." Here's a look at McNeil-Warren's debut in the spotlight.
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Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, safety, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren comes down in run support
The rundown:The Steelers gained eight yards on this first-and-5 play from their own 5. McNeil-Warren was lined up as a deep safety on the left hash, with Jaylen Warren running the ball to the right. Two defenders missed Warren initially, but McNeil-Warren did a good job of getting to the ball and holding up the ball carrier to make the tackle.
The grade:B
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren breaks up pass to DK Metcalf
The rundown:This was one of two great plays McNeil-Warren made against Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf. With McNeil-Warren lined up as a single-high safety, Metcalf ran a crossing route from right to left, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers put the ball where it needed to be for it to be caught. But McNeil-Warren timed his breakup perfectly, knocking the ball out of Metcalf's hands to force a punt.
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The grade:A
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren breaks up pass to DK Metcalf (again)
The rundown:The play most remember from McNeil-Warren's night. It was essentially the same play as the previous one, with Metcalf running right-to-left across the field. This time, McNeil-Warren's break was so good one official threw a flag for pass interference. However, the film clearly showed just a well-timed breakup by the rookie and the flag was picked up.
The grade:A
Another solid run help by Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
The rundown:This was just good run help from the free safety spot. McNeil-Warren was playing a single-high look when Warren got the handoff and ran to the right. Defensive end Isaiah McGuire had the initial hold on Warren, but McNeil-Warren came down to finish off the play.
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The grade:B
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren draws pass interference penalty
The rundown:McNeil-Warren drew a pass interference flag on this play because he got his arm around the waist of the big Pittsburgh tight end Darnell Washington as he was running a seam route. It's a play you do occasionally see defenders get away with if they can get in a middle of a lot of traffic. However, he was sort of exposed on this play, with Washington running in the open.
The grade:C
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren's snap counts vs. Steelers
McNeil-Warren played 36 of the Browns' defensive snaps against the Steelers. That accounted for 50% of their 72 total defensive snaps. Of those 36, according to Pro Football Focus, 29 were with McNeil-Warren at free safety, six with him in the box and one in the slot. He also played six on kick coverage, five on kickoff return and four on punt return.
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Emmanuel McNeil-Warren stats vs. Steelers
The rundown:McNeil-Warren had one solo and two assisted tackles, for three combined tackles on defense, against the Steelers. He also had two passes defensed, as well as an assisted tackle on special teams.
The grade:B
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Grading Browns S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren's Week 4 NFL game vs. Steelers
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