One Browns Rookie Just Got The Call He’s Been Waiting For

The Cleveland Browns are on a solid path over the past couple of years largely due to the masterful work of GM Andrew Berry, who has put together back-to-back incredible draft classes. The future looks bright and there are foundational young talents sprinkled all over this roster, with a pair of first-round picks in a solid 2027 draft coming down the pipeline next.

Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion have stepped in and embraced the starting wide receiver spots right away while Spencer Fano and Austin Barber have done the same at left tackle and right guard, respectively. On the other side of the ball, one rookie has quietly made a massive impact and is in line for a career first on Sunday.

With Ronnie Hickman ruled out for Sunday’s game, rookie second-rounder Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is slated to make his first career start. Camryn Justice of WEWS shared a clip of his media session and he spoke about what it means to him to start on Sunday against the Houston Texans.

“It feels good just to hear your name called, just be ready to step up when one of your teammates is down. Go out there, execute, play good, try to get a win for the team,” McNeil-Warren said.

Asked #Browns S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren about gearing up to start in place of Ronnie Hickman on Sunday:

"It feels good just to hear your name called, just be ready to step up when one of your teammates is down. Go out there, execute, play good, try to get a win for the team." pic.twitter.com/VMOXzm1XX1

— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) November 13, 2026

Secondary depth was a major area of need heading into this offseason, but obviously the offense was the most pressing need. Nobody batted an eye when Berry used multiple early picks on receiver and offensive line, but McNeil-Warren was way too good to pass up at the end of the second round.

Many believed he’d go in the middle of the first round, but perhaps there weren’t enough scouts watching Toledo last year because he jumped off the screen. He has looked right at home in Mike Rutenberg’s defense and there is no doubt he’ll be ready to step into the spotlight on Sunday.

He is seen as Hickman’s potential long-term replacement anyway, so Sunday could be a sign of things to come. He’ll have his hands full against C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and the rest of this explosive passing game, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he has a big play or two up his sleeve and rises to the occasion.