NFL Mock Draft: WNY Class of 2025/2026
In this article:
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…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith 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 Bryce Tubin Bryce Tubin 6'2" | 215 lbs | QB Clarence | 2025 NY (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 Rocco Panepinto Rocco Panepinto 6'4" | 185 lbs | QB Sweet Home | 2025 State NY (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 Carter Capozzi Carter Capozzi QB Gowanda | 2026 NY (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 Jahyden Clark Jahyden Clark 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Canisius | 2025 State NY (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 Patrick Enright Patrick Enright 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Canisius | 2025 State NY (Canisius); 13th ranked OL in the State, Enright is a versatile player and ferocious blocker.
6. New York Giants – WR Gerald McCloud Jr Gerald McCloud Jr 5'9" | 175 lbs | ATH Bishop Timon-St. Jude | 2025 State NY (Timon); McCloud is the most consistent and experienced receiver in this draft.
7. Tennessee Titans – OT Yianni Moore Yianni Moore 6'1" | 270 lbs | OL Maryvale | 2025 State NY (Maryvale); Moore is a dynamic pass protector and will serve the Titans well.
8. Atlanta Falcons – QB Sherrad Bennard III Sherrad Bennard III 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Bennett | 2025 State NY (Bennett); Atlanta was looking for deep ball accuracy here and they found it with Bennard.
9. Chicago Bears – WR Patrick Wind Patrick Wind WR Clarence | 2025 NY (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 Tate Catanese Tate Catanese 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Clymer/Panama/Sherman | 2025 State NY (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 Jor-el Lee Jor-el Lee 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Kenmore West | 2026 State NY (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 Justus Kleitz Justus Kleitz 6'0" | 160 lbs | QB Iroquois | 2026 State NY (Iroquois); Justus has been a varsity starter since his Freshman season has has put up some big numbers.
13. Las Vegas Raiders – TE William Hanson William Hanson 5'11" | 225 lbs | TE St. Francis | 2025 State NY (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 William 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 Laferald Hines Jr Laferald Hines Jr 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Lackawanna | 2025 NY (Lackawanna); Hines came in big in 2023 with 11 QB sacks. He is a terror for opposing linemen.
16. Seattle Seahawks – DL Sam Ikegwuonu Sam Ikegwuonu 6'3" | 290 lbs | DL Lackawanna | 2025 State NY (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 Mason Alnutt Mason Alnutt 6'3" | 250 lbs | DL Canisius | 2025 State NY (Canisius); Alnutt is an excellent edge rusher with great footwork.
18. Cincinnati Bengals – OT Warrick Kyler Warrick Kyler 6'6" | 285 lbs | OL Salamanca | 2025 NY (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 Lucas Stiglmeier Lucas Stiglmeier 6'1" | 215 lbs | DL Lockport | 2025 State NY (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 Tim McCann Tim McCann 6'3" | 265 lbs | OL St. Francis | 2026 NY (St. Francis); A raw talent with room to develop, McCann can really be a force for years.
21. Miami Dolphins – DE Robbie Westmiller Robbie Westmiller 6'2" | 285 lbs | DL Alden | 2025 State NY (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 De’Mari Clemons De’Mari Clemons 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Bennett | 2026 State NY (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 Eric Abernathy (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 Kyler Lee Kyler Lee 5'10" | 185 lbs | DB Starpoint | 2025 State NY (Starpoint); Detroit got themselves the complete package at Corner.
25. Green Bay Packers – OT Ivan Pusloskie Ivan Pusloskie 6'0" | 240 lbs | OL Clarence | 2026 State NY (Clarence); Ivan needs to bulk up some but he has the talent and determination to excel.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – C Gavin McWhirter Gavin McWhirter 5'10" | 280 lbs | OL Orchard Park | 2026 State NY (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 Michael Harris Michael Harris 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL St. Francis | 2025 State NY (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 Damari Yancey Damari Yancey 5'8" | 152 lbs | ATH Canisius | 2025 State NY (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 Talon Engasser Talon Engasser 6'1" | 270 lbs | OL Clarence | 2026 State NY (Clarence); Engasser has a big frame and plays smart.
30. Baltimore Ravens – CB Noah 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 Carson Panebianco Carson Panebianco 6'1" | 195 lbs | WR Jamestown | 2025 State NY (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 Bryce Hinsdale Bryce Hinsdale 5'10" | 150 lbs | ATH Clymer Central/Sherman/Panama | 2025 State NY (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.