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Wisconsin 2017 NFL Draft Projections

By Noah Seligman

Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt goes through workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt goes through workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thursday April 27th the NFL Draft from Philadelphia kicks off with the 1st Round.  With just over a week to go, below is a round up of where the two Badgers (OT, Ryan Ramczyk and OLB TJ Watt) who will be drafted highest are slotted in mock drafts.  This overview looks at 1st round projections.

According to a release from the NFL, Ramczyk is among the 22 players the NFL has confirmed will be in attendance at the draft.  Side note: new Minnesota Gophers Head Coach PJ Fleck will row his boat to the NFL Draft as well.  No Gophers are going to be drafted in the 1st round but Corey Davis from Western Michigan (where Fleck coached last season) should be picked in Round 1.

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated  April 12, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, #26 Seattle Seahawks (3rd OL Drafted)
  • T.J. Watt, N/A

Chad Retuer, NFL.com  April 14, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, #23 New York Giants (3rd OL Drafted)
  • T.J. Watt, #28 Dallas Cowboys (4th LB Drafted)

Bucky Brooks, NFL.Com  April 11, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, #20 Denver Broncos (1st OL Drafted)
  • T.J. Watt, N/A

Rob Rang, CBS Sports  April 17, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, #20 Denver Broncos (1st OL Drafted)
  • T.J. Watt,  #21 Detroit Lions (3rd LB Drafted)

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports  April 17, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, N/A
  • T.J. Watt,  N/A

Dane Brugler,  CBS Sports  April 17, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, #20 Denver Broncos (1st OL Drafted)
  • T.J. Watt,  #21 Detroit Lions (3rd LB Drafted)

Will Brinson,  CBS Sports  April 17, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, #20 Denver Broncos (1st OL Drafted)
  • T.J. Watt,  #32 New Orleans Saints (7th LB Drafted)

Jared Dubin,  CBS Sports  April 17 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, #23 New York Giants (2nd OL Drafted)
  • T.J. Watt,  #29 Green Bay Packers (5th LB Drafted)

Kristopher Knox,  Bleacher Report  April 17, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, N/A
  • T.J. Watt,  #31 Atlanta Falcons (4th LB Drafted)

Maurice Moton,  Bleacher Report  April 18, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk,#19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2nd OL Drafted)
  • T.J. Watt,  N/A

Sporting News

  • Ryan Ramczyk, #23 New York Giants (2nd OL Drafted)
  • T.J. Watt,  #31 Atlanta Falcons (3rd LB Drafted)

Chris Collinsworth,  Pro Football Focus  April 18, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, #19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1st OL Drafted)
  • T.J. Watt,  N/A

Walter Football,  April 18, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, N/A
  • T.J. Watt,  #21 Detroit Lions (2nd LB)

Matt Brandon, Scout Fantasy  April 17, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, #20 Denver Broncos (1st OL Drafted)
  • T.J. Watt,  N/A

Dan Kadar, SB Nation  April 17, 2017

  • Ryan Ramczyk, #20 Denver Broncos (1st OL Drafted)
  • T.J. Watt,  #30 Pittsburgh Steelers (5th LB Drafted)

The Denver Broncos at #20 and New York Giants at #23 are the most popular projected destinations for Ramczyk.  Ramczyk, Garrett Bolles from Utah and even Cam Robinson from Alabama are the three most common 1st round OT names.   Forrest Lamp from Western Kentucky is a fast riser but it’s unclear if he is an OT (where he played in college) or really an OG at the NFL level.

The common theme is that the Broncos and Giants most need a LT specifically thus Ramcyzk would make sense there.  The FanSided Denver Broncos blog (Predominantly Orange) reports that Ramczyk met with the Broncos brass on Monday April 17th.

There is no real consensus on Watt among the mockers if he is a surefire 1st rounder.  There is also considerable disagreement over the premier OLB in this draft.  Watt is generally considered a raw but enticing prospects based on his production, motor, and genetics.