NFL Draft: Clovis native is first New Mexican taken in six years, former Lobo goes in seventh round

For the first time in six years, a New Mexico native has been selected in the NFL Draft.

The Seattle Seahawks drafted Kansas guard and Clovis native Bryce Cabeldue with the 192nd overall pick in the sixth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.

The Clovis High School graduate is the first New Mexican selected since former Eldorado High School star Zach Gentry was taken by the Steelers in the 2019 NFL Draft. Cabeldue is also poised to become the first Clovis native to play in the NFL since former New Mexico receiver Hank Baskett III spent four years with the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts.

Taken with the Seahawks’ eighth pick, Cabeldue joins North Dakota State center Grey Zabel as interior offensive linemen drafted by the Seahawks this year, and an overall class featuring Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and Colorado State wide receiver Tory Horton. Offensive line — particularly guard — was an area of need for Seattle this offseason after the Seahawks allowed the third-most sacks in the league last year.

Despite playing only five snaps at the position in college, the 6-foot-4, 308-pound Cabeldue projects as a guard after starting four years at left and right tackle with the Jayhawks. He earned praise for his showing at guard in the East-West Shrine Bowl in January, and was on the right side of a 25-0 East win.

“His hip explosion and strong hands helped him control his man off the snap in various run-blocking schemes,” Chad Reuters of NFL.com wrote in January. “His experience at tackle (three-plus years starting on the right side before moving to the left side this past fall) taught him to widen his base and keep his body aligned over his feet in pass protection.”

Cabeldue gave himself another boost with an impressive performance at Big 12 Pro Day in March, notably running the 40-yard-dash in 4.95 seconds. He tied with Miami Dolphins second-rounder Jonah Savaiinaea for the best time among draft-eligible guards this season, and also recorded 30 bench press reps — the best mark among pro day participants.

In light of his Shrine Bowl performance and measurables, Cabeldue was listed as The Athletic’s 12th best guard prospect entering the draft.

“Cabeldue is quick out of his stance as a pass blocker and gets his hands on rushers early, although his average range and length can leave him compromised on an island,” wrote Dane Brugler in The Athletic’s draft guide, The Beast. “His movement skills are an asset for him in the run game, along with his heavy latch hands to turn and bury his target.

“Overall, Cabeldue is a college tackle who projects best inside at guard, where his competitive edge, foot quickness and hand strength should translate well.”

Other selections/signings

Former UNM running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was drafted by the Washington Commanders with the 245th overall pick in the seventh round.

The Montgomery, Alabama native transferred from FCS Alabama State to UNM ahead of the 2023 season and immediately rose to the top of a congested running back room during fall camp. He went on to rush for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns that year and earn second team All-Mountain West honors before transferring to Arizona last summer.

Croskey-Merritt only appeared in one game for the Wildcats (a season-opening 61-39 win over UNM) before an eligibility concern effectively ended his season. He was ranked as The Athletic’s 24th-best running back ahead of the draft after earning Shrine Bowl Offensive MVP honors in January.

“A slippery runner with explosive feet, Croskey-Merritt is capable of full-stride cuts without gearing down to toy with defenders,” Brugler wrote in The Beast . “He runs with a ‘cut to daylight’ mentality, which keeps his runs alive but also leads to wasted steps and extra hits.

“Overall, there is an unpredictability to his run style that keeps both defenders and his own coaches on the edge of their seat, but you’ll live with the volatility because of his electric plant and burst to naturally string moves together and create chunk plays. He projects as an offense’s change-of-pace weapon.”

La Cueva High School graduate and former Utah defensive end Connor O’Toole signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seahawks, per Utah’s X account.

O’Toole played in 44 career games with the Utes, shifting from wide receiver to defensive end in 2022. The Albuquerque native racked up 22 total tackles and five tackles for loss in eight games in 2024.

Cleveland High School graduate and Texas A&M tight end Tre Watson hinted he was being signed by the Kansas City Chiefs in a social media post Saturday.

Writing on X, the former Fresno State tight end posted “#ChiefsKingdom,” implying he had been picked up by Kansas City as an undrafted free agent.

The team has not formally announced Watson’s signing. In his final collegiate season with the Aggies, he caught 21 passes for 280 yards and one touchdown.