Should Wisconsin worry about early NFL Draft departures?

With the college football season drawing to a close, how worried should Badger fans be about any early departures for the NFL Draft

Last season, Wisconsin lost two big names a year early to the NFL Draft.  LT Ryan Ramcyzk and OLB TJ Watt both left Madison and were picked in the first round of the NFL Draft.

That of course required some shuffling on the OL.  It also created a hole at pass rusher given Watt’s tremendous junior year production.

Both Ramcyzk and Watt were basically one-year starters for the Badgers.  They turned that one superlative season into NFL glory.

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So who among this Badger group could be most likely to follow that path to the professional ranks?

Nick Nelson

Some confusing news broke this week about the status of Wisconsin junior CB Nick Nelson.  Specifically that he was declaring for the NFL Draft.

But then Nelson himself chimed in quickly on twitter to bat that down.  He apparently has made any decisions about his future including a senior year in Madison.  He had a solid in Madison and was named 1st Team All Big Ten.

The 2016 draft was loaded with CB talent with 14 picked in the first three rounds.  It’s almost impossible for 2017 to match that.  So Nelson might be inclined to depart given he thrives at a premium and valued position.

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Michael Deiter

Deiter took over the all important LT position with Ramcyzk off to the NFL.  He played in all 40 games in his three seasons in Madison.  Deiter also plays center and guard.  So he adds versatility for any NFL team that he can probably line up potentially anywhere on the OL.

Like last year, this doesn’t appear to be a deep OL group.  So Deiter could elect to leave early.  He was named 1st Team All Big Ten this season.  He doesn’t need to, it’s not like he’ll lose his job.  But as a redshirt junior she may already be graduating and ready to pursue NFL riches.

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Beau Benzschawel

Much of what I noted about Deiter is true for Benzschawel including the 1st Team All Big Ten honors.  He has played in 35 games in three years in Madison including every game each of the last two seasons.

Interestingly, the last two years he has been a guard.  But he did get some work as a RT during his freshman season.  So he also has some positional versatility.