Rookie rankings tend to shift every week as sample sizes grow. Players who make an early splash can fade as opponents adjust, while others steadily climb as they earn more trust from their coaches. The ones who rise to the top usually get there through consistency rather than flash. A Browns rookie has done just that and now sits atop the entire 2026 draft class.
Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus ranked Emmanuel McNeil-Warren 1st among all qualifying rookies after Week 5, with an 89.9 grade.
“McNeil-Warren moves into the top spot this week after impressing in a rotational role for the Browns so far this season. He is averaging 21.8 defensive snaps per game through the first five weeks and has earned PFF grades above 77.0 both as a run defender and in coverage,” McGuinness wrote.
What makes the ranking so impressive is the workload. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is averaging fewer than 22 defensive snaps per game, meaning he has climbed to the top while playing only part of each contest. That speaks to how productive he has been when he is on the field.
His balance stands out as well. Earning grades above 77.0 against both the run and the pass is a rare combination for a first-year safety still adjusting to the speed of the NFL.
He passed some notable names to claim the top spot. Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Mansoor Delane slipped to 2nd at 84.5, and Carolina Panthers safety Zakee Wheatley, who led the rankings after Week 3, dropped to 3rd at 82.6.
McNeil-Warren is not the only Browns rookie making noise. Denzel Boston climbed to 6th after sitting 9th following Week 3, and left tackle Spencer Fano checks in at 15th, giving Cleveland 3 players in the top 15.
McNeil-Warren’s role could be about to grow. Grant Delpit was limited in practice this week, and the Browns have already trusted the rookie in big spots, including a matchup with Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq that produced the 5th-highest defensive grade of Week 5.
The Baltimore Ravens will present a different kind of test on Sunday. Lamar Jackson’s ability to extend plays and Derrick Henry’s physical running style will challenge a young safety in both phases, which makes his strong grade against the run especially valuable.
McNeil-Warren was the 58th pick in the draft, and he is now the highest-graded rookie in the league. If he keeps playing at this level as his snap count rises, he will not stay a rotational player for long, and the Browns may have found a long-term starter in their secondary.
NEXT: Todd Monken Downplays Facing His Former Team This Week
