Cleveland Browns sign second‑round safety Emmanuel McNeil‑Warren to rookie contract
The Cleveland Browns announced that safety Emmanuel McNeil‑Warren, their 58th‑overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has agreed to a four‑year rookie deal. The signing marks the 10th draft selection for the franchise, leaving only first‑round wide receiver KC Concepcion as the remaining unsigned draftee.
McNeil‑Warren arrives from the University of Toledo, where he appeared in 53 games and started 14 across four seasons. In his final collegiate campaign he logged 77 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, a half‑sack and two interceptions while earning third‑team Associated Press All‑America honors. The safety’s consistency and play‑making ability were key factors in Cleveland’s decision to secure him early in the offseason.
Cleveland’s draft class is now almost fully under contract. The team previously signed first‑round offensive tackle Spencer Fano, second‑round wide receiver Denzel Boston, third‑round offensive tackle Austin Barber, fifth‑round center Parker Brailsford, fifth‑round linebacker Justin Jefferson, fifth‑round tight end Joe Royer, sixth‑round quarterback Taylen Green and seventh‑round tight end Carsen Ryan.
By completing the contracts for nine of its ten selections, the Browns have cleared the roster‑building path for training camp and have a full complement of rookies ready to compete for playing time. The pending agreement with KC Concepcion is expected to be finalized shortly, finalising the draft‑year roster.
The addition of McNeil‑Warren bolsters a defensive backfield that has struggled with continuity in recent seasons. Cleveland’s coaching staff will integrate the rookie into a secondary that includes veteran leaders and other emerging talents from this year’s draft class. How quickly McNeil‑Warren adapts to the professional level will influence the Browns’ defensive schemes and depth chart heading into the 2025 season.
With the draft class now largely signed, the Browns can shift focus to offseason conditioning, playbook implementation and the upcoming training camp, where the new rookies will have the chance to prove their readiness for the NFL stage.
