NFL Mock Draft: WNY Class of 2026/2027

With the NFL Draft in the books, I am publishing my 2nd annual NFL Mock Draft regarding incoming juniors and seniors in Western New York . 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. Tennessee Titans - QB [player_tooltip player_id='501394' first='Trent' last='Buttles'] (St. Francis) - Buttles has yet to take a snap in the MMHSAA but he has shown enough talent on film that is already considered the top QB prospect. His attributes also fit well with this pick; a strong armed athletic playmaker.   2. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Cleveland) - WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1238563' first='Cardel' last='Staples'] (McKinley) - There are few players in WNY that are as versatile as Staples. A large school prospect that can play both sides of the ball equally well. Jacksonville got themselves an extraordinary athlete.   3. New York Giants - EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1639431' first='Rami' last='Carney'] (Kenmore West) - A big body pass rusher with long arms that can shed blocks.   4. New England Patriots - OT [player_tooltip player_id='1333933' first='William' last='Wortkoetter'] (St. Francis) - A versatile player that has experience at every position on the OL.   5. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville) - DT [player_tooltip player_id='1621875' first='Javez' last='Caldwell'] (Canisius) - Possibly the best DL prospect in WNY that could play inside or as an EDGE rusher.   6. Las Vegas Raiders - RB [player_tooltip player_id='778700' first='Elijah' last='Kimble'] (Canisius) - The Raiders went out and got the most explosive RB in this draft and there were none that showed the burst and carried the workload better than Kimble.   7. New York Jets - OT [player_tooltip player_id='747253' first='Tim' last='McCann'] (St. Francis) - A prototypical Tackle with solid footwork and great awareness.   8. Carolina Panthers - WR [player_tooltip player_id='1561155' first='Kobey' last='Underwood'] (Lackawanna) - The Panthers went with a tall, lanky WR with solid hands. Underwood fits the mold at 6'3 180 lbs.   9. New Orleans Saints - OT [player_tooltip player_id='806821' first='Talon' last='Engasser'] (Clarence) - A high motor lineman with superior strength.   10. Chicago Bears - TE [player_tooltip player_id='1263294' first='John' last='Meka Jr'] (Orchard Park) - The Bears needed a big body target for their young QB. Few players are bigger than Meka, who is measured at 6'6 225 lbs.   11. San Francisco 49ers - EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1549050' first='Jamere' last='Hill'] (McKinley) - Hill had a breakout season in 2024 registering over 100 tackles and 10 sacks.   12. Dallas Cowboys - OG [player_tooltip player_id='1648715' first='Dylan' last='Gorney'] (Canisius) - Still relatively unknown but Gorney has all the measurables needed to be an elite O-Lineman; whether it is at Tackle or Guard.   13. Miami Dolphins - DT [player_tooltip player_id='806889' first='Patrick' last='Allen'] (West Seneca West) - A big body interior lineman with a high motor that can get after the QB.   14. Indianapolis Colts - TE [player_tooltip player_id='1624510' first='Stone' last='Rozak'] (St. Joe's) - The Colts took a solid TE prospect with long arms that can gain separation from defenders.   15. Atlanta Falcons - LB [player_tooltip player_id='806776' first='Arno' last='Mbaiyo'] (Canisius) - The quintessential Mike LB, Mbaiyo has all the tools needed to perform at the next level.   16. Arizona Cardinals - DT [player_tooltip player_id='505866' first='Jaizen' last='Warren'] (Bennett) - Arizona got a lineman that plays with a low pad level and at times, seems to be un-blockable.   17. Cincinnati Bengals - EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1513366' first='Kamron' last='Minter'] (McKinley) - Minter kind of got lost in the shuffle with the Macks but was still an exceptional pass rusher with a quick get-off.   18. Seattle Seahawks - OG [player_tooltip player_id='1624518' first='Kaius' last='Mattoon'] (Clarence) - Mattoon is a stud interior lineman that consistently blocks to the whistle.   19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - WR [player_tooltip player_id='1344697' first='Evan' last='Zankl'] (Williamsville South) - Zankl is one of the crispest route runners in WNY and displays excellent awareness.   20. Denver Broncos - CB [player_tooltip player_id='1743148' first='Darnell' last='Galimore'] (Canisius) - Denver went for a reach here but did get an outstanding athlete that excels at shutting down opposing WRs.   21. Pittsburgh Steelers - DT [player_tooltip player_id='806889' first='Patrick' last='Allen'] (West Seneca West) - Allen is a stout run defender that can clog running lanes with his 6'3 290 lb frame.   22. Los Angeles Chargers - RB [player_tooltip player_id='1202404' first='Tyrone' last='Clark Jr'] (Lackawanna) - Chargers looked for a big body RB. Clark brings the size and breakaway speed that LAC was looking for.   23. Green Bay Packers - WR [player_tooltip player_id='518166' first='Jack' last='Eskridge'] (Bennett) - Eskridge is an exceptional playmaker that can make dynamic catches and is always a threat to score.   24. Minnesota Vikings - OG [player_tooltip player_id='806710' first='Gavin' last='McWhirter'] (Orchard Park) - After an injury plagued junior season, McWhirter did show enough talent as a sophomore to still be considered a top tier OL.   25. New York Giants (from Houston) - QB [player_tooltip player_id='1344653' first='Brayden' last='Gibbs'] (Chautauqua Lake) - NY has been looking for a top tier QB since Eli Manning retired and with Gibbs, they get a quick decision maker that has the ability to stretch the field with his big arm.   26. Atlanta Falcons (from LA Rams) - EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1275964' first='Brody' last='Kaufman'] (Clarence) - A solid DE in a 3-4 scheme, Kaufman does have the size of where he can be moved inside of a 4-3.   27. Baltimore Ravens - S [player_tooltip player_id='1624501' first='Alante' last='Green'] (Health Sciences) - Green is a fantastic playmaker that can cover the slot or play deep. He can also come down in the box and make a tackle.   28. Detroit Lions - DT [player_tooltip player_id='1513381' first='Nyquan' last='Boswell'] (Cattaraugus/Little Valley) - A bit of a surprise here as Boswell is a small school product but he produced at a high level and could be an exceptional player.   29. Washington Commanders - OT [player_tooltip player_id='806674' first='Jor-el' last='Lee'] (Kenmore West) - Washington gets a steal here with one of the largest prospects in this draft. Lee was a pivotal part to the Blue Devils playoff run.   30. Buffalo Bills - CB [player_tooltip player_id='1257837' first='Owen' last='Kicinski'] (St. Joe's) - The first thought that came to mind with this pick was speed. Few athletes in the area are faster than Kicinski. Owen is a solid prospect that can play man-to-man or zone.   31. Philadelphia Eagles (from Kansas City) - LB [player_tooltip player_id='1293300' first='David' last='Amuka'] (St. Joe's) - Philly took a tall ILB with speed and spectacular tackling technique.   32. Kansas City Chiefs (from Philadelphia) - OT [player_tooltip player_id='806822' first='Ivan' last='Pusloskie'] (Clarence) - A tenacious blocker with solid wherewithal.

With the NFL Draft in the books, I am publishing my 2nd annual NFL Mock Draft regarding incoming juniors and seniors in Western New York . 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.