Panthers Predicted to Grab DB That Matched Eagles All-Pro Quinyon Mitchell in College

Noted college football writer Bruce Feldman of The Athletic released his annual NFL mock draft early Wednesday morning, and it’s important to know what went into his work.

“This is my sixth annual NFL mock draft based on intel I’ve gathered from coaching, scouting and agent sources over the past month-plus,” explained Feldman. “My aim here with this project, as always, is to provide unique insight directly from the eyes of rival coaches who have not only studied and scouted these prospects, but also game-planned for and then faced each of them.

“These sources know exactly what they’re dealing with,” added Feldman, “and what they’ve tried to do against these players in real-game situations, and some of them faced these prospects in multiple games.”

The specific subject matter here are the reigning NFC South champion Carolina Panthers, who despite some big-time spending in early March still have some needs. The selection here is rising safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from the University of Toledo.

Panthers could use another imposing presence in the secondary

Dec 30, 2023; Tucson, AZ, USA; Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (22) tackles Wyoming Cowboys running back Harrison Waylee (4) in the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

“Even though it added Jaelan Phillips in free agency after picking Nic Scourton last year,” stated Feldman, “Carolina still could use another edge to crank up the defense GM Dan Morgan is looking for. But this big safety from the MAC is too good to pass up here. The 6’3 ½”, 202-pound McNeil-Warren ran a 4.52 40 at the combine after a third-team All-America season in which he became just the second Rocket in almost two decades to make the AP All-America teams (Quinyon Mitchell is the other).

That would be the Quinyon Mitchell of the Philadelphia Eagles. A first-round pick in 2024, he was a member of the league’s top-ranked defense that paved the way to a Super Bowl LIX championship during his rookie campaign. His former collegiate teammate is coming off a very impressive year.

Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was impressive in 2025

“McNeil-Warren made 77 tackles and had three forced fumbles and two interceptions,” added Feldman. “Rival coaches watched him on tape and were surprised why someone at a Power 4 conference wasn’t able to lure him away from the MAC, but he did miss almost half of the 2024 season due to injury (though he still made 61 tackles).

In four seasons and 48 games with the Rockets, the imposing defender amassed a combined 214 tackles, five interceptions (1 returned for a TD), 13 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles, and a pair of fumble recoveries.

“He is a freakshow,” said an OC who played Toledo last year (courtesy of Feldman). “He was super rangy, super athletic, played downhill. Had the ball skills. He could close space so fast and didn’t miss tackles. It’s pretty cool that he didn’t leave. I’m sure he had opportunities. You’d turn the tape and immediately could see, he’s different. He just pops when you watch them on the tape. His athleticism and how smooth he was and how long he was, it all translated. He was the best kid we played all year and we played (a bunch of programs that at one point were ranked).”