One NFL analyst believes the Bears can find a safety upgrade in the draft, targeting a prospect with a versatile skill set to bolster their secondary.
The Chicago Bears lost two very valuable players in free agency this offseason in Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard.
Brisker recorded 93 total tackles, one interception, one sack and one TFL in his final season with the Bears. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency on a one-year, $5.5 million deal.
Byard had a massive year in 2025.
He led the league with seven interceptions and also had 93 total tackles and four TFLs on his way to making the Pro Bowl for the third time in his NFL career. The Bears weren't able to keep him from leaving either, as he joined the New England Patriots, reuniting with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel, on a one-year, $7 million deal per Spotrac.
Luckily, General Manager Ryan Poles went into free agency with those needs in mind. He signed former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant to a three-year, $40 million deal.
The problem is that the Bears need another starting safety.
Daniel Jeremiah had the solution on his most recent mock draft on NFL.com. He had the Bears going with safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren out of Toledo at No. 25 overall. Jeremiah even said that McNeil-Warren would be an upgrade over Brisker on a recent appearance with 104.3 The Score.
"I think he provides a more versatile skill set than Brisker had, but somebody that would be fun to watch on that defense," Jeremiah said. "Not only making plays on the ball, but also this guy in an era where people forget that you can still hit people like this guy. He'll deliver some big hits, which is fun to see."
If what Jeremiah says is true, then Chicago may need to spend a first-round pick on the Toledo safety.
McNeil-Warren has a very similar game to Brisker, as a safety who can not only create problems in the secondary but also come down and help in run support. He was able to get into the backfield multiple times at Toledo in 2025, finishing with 5.5 TFLs.
He also recorded two interceptions, 77 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and five forced fumbles.
Replacing a player of Brisker's talents is no easy task, but McNeil-Warren may be up to the task.
With Caleb Downs predicted to go No. 10 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals in Jeremiah's mock draft, McNeil-Warren could be the best option available at safety and a prospect you don't want to pass up.
Should Poles bring the Toledo star to the Windy City?