NFL Mock Draft: WNY Class of 2025/2026

With the NFL Draft finished up a few weeks ago, I wanted to experiment with how the draft would have played out regarding the Western New York players in the Class of 2025 & 2026 collectively. This isn't necessarily a ranking of the top 32 players but rather where each player would go given their position and comparable attributes to the player that was actually drafted.   1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina) - QB [player_tooltip player_id='1213071' first='Bryce' last='Tubin'] (Clarence); Chicago has been trying to find a franchise QB since Sid Luckman retired in 1950. The Bears are hoping Tubin can end the 74 year QB draught.   2. Washington Commanders - QB [player_tooltip player_id='527730' first='Rocco' last='Panepinto'] (Sweet Home); The Commanders were looking for a big body, strong armed QB here. Few players have the size and athleticism as Panepinto.   3. New England Patriots - QB [player_tooltip player_id='1246845' first='Carter' last='Capozzi'] (Gowanda); New England also looking for a big body found one in Capozzi, who led Section VI in touchdowns as a Sophomore in 2023.   4. Arizona Cardinals - WR [player_tooltip player_id='390762' first='Jahyden' last='Clark'] (Canisius); I don't think there was any doubt that Clark would be the 1st WR to go off the board.   5. Los Angeles Chargers - OT [player_tooltip player_id='806578' first='Patrick' last='Enright'] (Canisius); 13th ranked OL in the State, Enright is a versatile player and ferocious blocker.   6. New York Giants - WR [player_tooltip player_id='648835' first='Gerald' last='McCloud'] (Timon); McCloud is the most consistent and experienced receiver in this draft.   7. Tennessee Titans - OT [player_tooltip player_id='807030' first='Yianni' last='Moore'] (Maryvale); Moore is a dynamic pass protector and will serve the Titans well.   8. Atlanta Falcons - QB [player_tooltip player_id='806376' first='Sherrad' last='Bennard III'] (Bennett); Atlanta was looking for deep ball accuracy here and they found it with Bennard.   9. Chicago Bears - WR [player_tooltip player_id='1213088' first='Patrick' last='Wind'] (Clarence); There were several WRs that could have gone here but with the Bears taking Tubin 1st overall, Chicago brought in his favorite target to reunite in the pros.   10. Minnesota Vikings (from NY Jets) - QB [player_tooltip player_id='648989' first='Tate' last='Catanese'] (CSP); The Vikings were looking for a winning QB and few won as many games as Catanese, who is coming off of a Section VI title run.   11. New York Jets (from Minnesota) - OT [player_tooltip player_id='806674' first='Jor-el' last='Lee'] (Kenmore West); Surprising the Jets didn't go QB but they took Lee, who is quite possibly the best OL prospect in Section VI   12. Denver Broncos - QB [player_tooltip player_id='473979' first='Justus' last='Kleitz'] (Iroquois); Justus has been a varsity starter since his Freshman season has has put up some big numbers.   13. Las Vegas Raiders - TE [player_tooltip player_id='747228' first='William' last='Hanson'] (St. Francis); It was well documented that the Raiders wanted a QB here but with 6 going off the board, they had to go with their next need - A Tight End that can block like a lineman and catch like a receiver.   14. New Orleans Saints - OT [player_tooltip player_id='1333933' first='William' last='Wortkoetter'] (Wilson); Surprising to see a small school product go this early but you cannot deny William's size and aggression on the field.   15. Indianapolis Colts - DE [player_tooltip player_id='747246' first='Laferald' last='Hines Jr'] (Lackawanna); Hines came in big in 2023 with 11 QB sacks. He is a terror for opposing linemen.   16. Seattle Seahawks - DL [player_tooltip player_id='806443' first='Sam' last='Ikegwuonu'] (Lackawanna); There were quite a few of DTs that could have gone here but few possess the strength and athleticism that Ikegwuonu does.   17. Minnesota Vikings (from Jacksonville) - DE [player_tooltip player_id='505525' first='Mason' last='Alnutt'] (Canisius); Alnutt is an excellent edge rusher with great footwork.   18. Cincinnati Bengals - OT [player_tooltip player_id='1212861' first='Warrick' last='Kyler'] (Salamanca); Another small school Lineman but at 6'6 285 lbs, Kyler has the tools to play at an elevated level.   19. Los Angeles Rams - DE [player_tooltip player_id='806445' first='Lucas' last='Stiglmeier'] (Lockport); In two seasons, Stiglmeier accumulated 112 tackles from the DE position. He has the versatility to convert to OLB if needed.   20. Pittsburgh Steelers - OT [player_tooltip player_id='747253' first='Tim' last='McCann'] (St. Francis); A raw talent with room to develop, McCann can really be a force for years.   21. Miami Dolphins - DE [player_tooltip player_id='807865' first='Robbie' last='Westmiller'] (Alden); Westmiller spent his career playing DT but his tenacity he showcased on the line cannot be denied. Miami drafted him as a DE and I think his talents will shine through.   22. Philadelphia Eagles - CB [player_tooltip player_id='410677' first='De'Mari' last='Clemons'] (Bennett); If this was based on best player available, Clemons could have went #1 overall but the Eagles came up big grabbing the best Cornerback in the entire state.   23. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Cleveland via Houston & Minnesota) - WR [player_tooltip player_id='1283662' first='Eric' last='Abernathy Jr'] (McKinley); Jacksonville went after size with this pick. At 6'3 200 lbs, Abernathy and Gabe Davis will make a great tandem.   24. Detroit Lions (from Dallas) - CB [player_tooltip player_id='806954' first='Kyler' last='Lee'] (Starpoint); Detroit got themselves the complete package at Corner.   25. Green Bay Packers - OT [player_tooltip player_id='806822' first='Ivan' last='Pusloskie'] (Clarence); Ivan needs to bulk up some but he has the talent and determination to excel.   26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - C [player_tooltip player_id='806710' first='Gavin' last='McWhirter'] (Orchard Park); The only pure Center taken in the first round, Gavin has a high football IQ and is tenacious in the trenches.   27. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston) - DE [player_tooltip player_id='747229' first='Michael' last='Harris'] (St. Francis); Harris is a physical specimen at 6'5 270 lbs. Didn't put up huge numbers but you cannot teach size, something that Michael undoubtedly has.   28. Kansas City Chiefs (from Buffalo) - WR [player_tooltip player_id='648809' first='Damari' last='Yancey'] (Canisius); While Yancey can lineup as a WR, he is predominately a RB and KR. But it is his speed that attracts the Chiefs and they will bring him in for the "Tyreek Hill" role. Bills fans are not happy.   29. Dallas Cowboys (from Detroit) - OT [player_tooltip player_id='806821' first='Talon' last='Engasser'] (Clarence); Engasser has a big frame and plays smart.   30. Baltimore Ravens - CB [player_tooltip player_id='1743162' first='Noah' last='Bohlman'] (Lockport); Some may consider this a reach but Baltimore did get a tough corner that can make plays and is a solid tackler   31. San Francisco 49ers - WR [player_tooltip player_id='505524' first='Carson' last='Panebianco'] (Jamestown); This is a major steal as Panebianco is the 5th rated WR in NYS. He will work well next to Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk (provided San Francisco keeps both of them)   32. Carolina Panthers (from Kansas City via Buffalo) - WR [player_tooltip player_id='451481' first='Bryce' last='Hinsdale'] (CSP); Carolina traded up one spot to take Hinsdale. Bryce probably would have lasted to the 2nd round but when you want a player, you go get him.

With the NFL Draft finished up a few weeks ago, I wanted to experiment with how the draft would have played out regarding the Western New York players in the Class of 2025 & 2026 collectively. This isn't necessarily a ranking of the top 32 players but rather where each player would go given their position and comparable attributes to the player that was actually drafted.