NFL Mock Draft: WNY Class of 2026/2027

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. New Orleans Saints - OT [player_tooltip player_id='806821' first='Talon' last='Engasser'] (Clarence) - A high motor lineman with superior strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>32. Kansas City Chiefs (from Philadelphia) - OT [player_tooltip player_id='806822' first='Ivan' last='Pusloskie'] (Clarence) - A tenacious blocker with solid wherewithal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->