The Cleveland Browns might just have pulled off one of the biggest coups of the 2026 NFL Draft. Landing Emmanuel McNeil-Warren late in the second round, despite him carrying first-round grades, is a testament to general manager Andrew Berry's sharp eye for talent.
McNeil-Warren's arrival has sparked some chatter about the futures of Ronnie Hickman and Grant Delpit. On paper, it makes sense-Hickman came into the league as an undrafted free agent, and Delpit is a seasoned veteran nearing the end of his contract.
But if the Browns had to make a choice, Hickman would likely be the one to stay. His contract, combined with his versatility and underrated impact, makes him an invaluable asset to the team.
Sayre Bedinger of NFL Spin Zone captures Hickman's rise perfectly:
"Despite the Cleveland Browns almost completely overhauling their roster in recent years, safety Ronnie Hickman has quietly become a standout," Bedinger noted. "Coming out of Ohio State as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Hickman has exceeded all expectations and continues to enhance his game."
Hickman's adaptability could be a game-changer in Mike Rutenberg's defensive schemes. The Browns didn't seem overly committed when they tendered him as a restricted free agent for just $3.5 million. Yet, other teams didn't leap at the chance to sign him, perhaps underestimating his true worth.
Last season, under Jim Schwartz's guidance, Hickman was a pivotal player. He packed the stat sheet with 103 tackles and seven pass breakups, both career highs. His knack for making plays in the box and disrupting passing lanes ensures his presence on the field, no matter the defensive setup.
While McNeil-Warren has the makings of a superstar, his early role will likely be more contained, focusing on positions like big nickel due to his size and developing experience. Meanwhile, Delpit and Hickman are expected to handle most of the safety duties, with Hickman showcasing his ability to move fluidly across the defensive backfield. His value is unmatched, especially when considering he led the team's defense with 1,039 snaps last season, plus 145 on special teams.
In today's NFL, safeties often fly under the radar, but their ability to adapt and create strategic mismatches is invaluable. Hickman's hybrid role allows for a multitude of defensive looks, making him a key piece in any savvy play-caller's arsenal.
Ronnie Hickman has proven to be a diamond in the rough for the Browns, making other teams question their decision to overlook him both in the draft and during free agency. His journey from undrafted rookie to indispensable defensive asset is a story that underscores the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the NFL.
In Other News...
Browns Fans Wont Believe Where Taylen Green Is Already Being Slotted
The Browns quarterback room has already become one of the more interesting subplots of the offseason, and Taylen Green is a big reason why. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Green arrived in Cleveland with a reputation that went well beyond his draft slot after a Combine showing that turned heads across the league and hinted at rare athletic upside for a late-round passer.
Now the conversation has shifted from how Cleveland got him to where he fits next, with the Browns carrying four quarterbacks under contract and questions lingering about whether all of them will still be around for 2026. For a front office that has usually given its draft picks time to develop, Greens long-term outlook is part of a larger roster puzzle, and it says plenty about how quickly a developmental quarterback can become a talking point in Cleveland. [Read more 🡒]
National Buzz Around Andrew Berry Just Raised The Stakes In Cleveland
After a 5-12 season, the Browns spent the offseason trying to reshape the roster in a hurry, with the biggest focus landing on the offensive line and the wide receiver room. General manager Andrew Berry also kept the draft haul busy enough to draw attention beyond Cleveland, and the moves have started to get notice from national outlets looking at which teams did the most to change their outlook for 2026.
CBS Sports went a step further and ranked Cleveland's offseason as the best in the NFL, a sign that the work Berry did is resonating outside the building. The praise centered on a broad collection of additions and draft picks that gave the Browns a much different look on paper, and it leaves the next question exactly where the organization wants it: whether all of that turnover can finally translate into a cleaner, more competitive season when the games start for real. [Read more 🡒]
Browns May Have One Veteran Trade Chip Fans Arent Talking About
The Browns have a familiar kind of roster question on their hands as trade chatter starts to swirl around the defensive front. Grant Delpit gets mentioned because he is the more recognizable name, but the better conversation may actually start with Maliek Collins, a veteran interior lineman who brought real production to Cleveland last season and still fits as the kind of player contenders check on when they need help in the middle.
Collins is 31 and in the final year of his contract, which makes him more movable than a core piece with a longer runway. Cleveland would have to weigh the value of keeping a proven contributor against the possibility of turning him into a usable asset, while also considering what a deal would mean for the rotation behind him and for a young defensive line that is still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]