When the Cleveland Browns snagged Emmanuel McNeil-Warren late in the second round of this year's NFL Draft, the pick raised more than a few eyebrows. Most mock drafts and big boards had the Toledo standout pegged as a late first-round or early second-round talent, but the Browns saw an opportunity they couldn't pass up.

McNeil-Warren's stock soared as draft day approached, thanks to a rare combination of versatility and size that had NFL coaching staffs buzzing. Standing at 6'3½" and 201 pounds with an impressive wingspan, he creates a coverage bubble that quarterbacks will learn to avoid. His route anticipation in the middle of the field has been described as exceptional, giving him a leg up on most rookie defensive backs.

Though it's only rookie mini-camp, McNeil-Warren has already looked a step above his peers in the defensive backfield. With 32⅛-inch arms and a blistering 1.58-second 10-yard split, he closes on pass-catchers with ease and gets his hands in the mix at the catch point—especially dangerous in the short-to-intermediate passing game.

While he's earned a reputation for keeping plays in front of him and stopping the run, McNeil-Warren has also flashed deep-center-field ability between the 20s. He's a cerebral player who reads quarterbacks' eyes and shoulders, consistently putting himself in advantageous positions downfield.

The Browns are expected to give McNeil-Warren a legitimate shot at competing for the starting free safety job alongside Grant Delpit. On paper, the two complement each other beautifully, and "EMW" could find himself in a starring role as early as year one. For a team looking to shore up its secondary, this rookie might just be the missing piece.