Jimmy Warren was drafted out of Illinois by the San Diego Chargers in the 1964 AFL Draft. He intercepted seven passes over two seasons with the Chargers before signing on with the expansion Miami Dolphins.
In his first year with the Dolphins, Warren started each of Miami's 14 games. He intercepted five passes, returning them for a league high 198 yards and one touchdown. His strong play in the defensive secondary was rewarded by his first and only Pro Bowl selection following the season.
In 1967, Warren again started each of Miami's 14 games. He picked off four passes and returned a fumble for a touchdown, garnering a second team All-Conference selection by the Sporting News.
1968 saw Warren again selected as a Sporting News second team All-Conference player, as well as an All-AFL second team selection courtesy of the Newspaper Entertainment Association. He again started all 14 games for Miami, intercepting two passes and recovering two fumbles.
Warren started 13 games for the Dolphins in 1969, and was traded to the Oakland Raiders upon the AFL's merger with the NFL starting in 1970. He played six years in Oakland before retiring after the 1977 season.
In Miami, Warren played a total of 55 games, intercepting 11 passes, recovering three fumbles and returning 11 kickoffs for 227 yards.
In 1992, Warren served as defensive backs coach for the Houston Cougars. He later became head coach at Cohen High School in New Orleans. He passed away in 2006.