The Buffalo Bills could make a surprising pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Buffalo is expected to continue to look to add defensive help as the Bills are changing their scheme to a 3-4 defense under new DC Jim Leonhard. Buffalo has been aggressive this offseason, adding to its defense, but the team could still look to add more impact players in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bills have the 26th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and NFL analyst Justin Melo of SI believes Buffalo is a great fit for Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
“The Buffalo Bills have been trying to permanently replace former fixtures at safety like Jordan Poyer and Micah Hade for a few offseasons now,” Melo wrote. “It was nice to see 2024 second-round pick Cole Bishop take such a sizable step forward as a sophomore.
“Geno Stone was signed in free agency, but adding a long-term running mate for Bishop could be a priority for general manager Brandon Beane during the NFL Draft. McNeil-Warren could be the type of enforcer new defensive coordinator Jim Leonard, a former NFL safety himself, craves.”
McNeil-Warren could come in and be a Day 1 starter at safety and play alongside Cole Bishop. He could sit and learn behind CJ Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone for a year and add more depth to the secondary.
But if the Bills do draft McNeil-Warren, he would also replace Jordan Poyer, who has hinted at retirement.
Poyer Hinted at Retirement
Although Poyer played well last season for the Bills and was an impactful defender, he hinted at retirement.
During the season, Poyer spoke to WGRZ during the season and hinted that this was going to be his final year in the NFL.
“Look, I’m not naïve,” Poyer said. “This is most likely my last one. I’m trying to enjoy every moment. The good, the bad, the indifferent. And just be part of this team for this run and go out the right way.”
Poyer, meanwhile, was also excited to return to Buffalo and play for the Bills one more time.
“I’ve said it many times, this is where I want to retire,” Poyer said Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show. “I love the city, I love the organization. I couldn’t think of a better situation to be here with the role I’m in. … I’m just embracing it.”
Poyer was a fan-favorite in Buffalo throughout his career with the Bills and was a huge reason for their success.
McNeil-Warren Draft Profile
McNeil-Warren is one of the top safety prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He’s expected to be selected late in the first round or early second round, which fits into the Bills’ range at 26th overall. NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein of NFL.com believes he can be an impactful starter in the NFL.
“Long, downhill safety capable of bolstering a team’s run defense and playing enforcer over the middle,” Zierlein wrote. “McNeil-Warren is most valuable when playing near the line of scrimmage or in robber positioning. He anticipates well in coverage and is quick to close on receivers but will need to be protected by scheme to prevent speed mismatches.
“He’s urgent in run support and has a feel for slipping blocks/meeting runners early in the carry. He’s a rangy tackler, but needs to quiet his feet when diagnosing and flowing downhill to tackle. McNeil-Warren might be pigeon-holed schematically but he’s good at his job.”
McNeil-Warren recorded 77 tackles, 6 pass defenses, 0.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions last season at Toledo.
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