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Wisconsin Football: Where Are They Now? Badgers in the NFL

By Christian Borman

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 10: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the Los Angeles Rams on November 10, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 10: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the Los Angeles Rams on November 10, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 29: Badgers Alex Erickson #12 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 29: Badgers Alex Erickson #12 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

With NFL training camps heating up, let’s get a little refresher on where former Badgers are at the next level.

Even though we won’t get to watch Wisconsin play football this fall, we will still be able to watch some former Badgers play on Sundays. There are a lot of former players like J.J. Watt and Russell Wilson who are still on their same teams and will likely be for most of their careers.

On the flip side, there was some player movement as well whether it was through free agency or the NFL Draft. There are currently 36 former Badgers on an NFL roster. So let’s take a look at where some of our favorite Wisconsin football players will start the 2020 NFL season.

Carolina Panthers

Natrelle Jamerson – Safety: signed with Carolina last season after he was cut from Green Bay following the preseason.

Chris Orr – Linebacker: signed with Carolina as an undrafted free agent this spring.

Cincinnati Bengals

Alex Erickson – Wide Reciever: Erickson has been a member of the Bengals since he signed there in 2016 when he went undrafted in the draft. He has been a big part of their special teams as their primary kick and punt returner.

Dallas Cowboys

Tyler Biadasz – Center: drafted by the Cowboys in the fourth round of this year’s draft. They will look to him to replace another former-Badger Travis Frederick, who retired this year after a short, but very successful career in Dallas.

Denver Broncos

Troy Fumagalli – Tight End: drafted in the fifth ound of the 2018 draft and has a hard time staying healthy enough to make an impact. He played in 11 games last year and caught 6 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Melvin Gordon – Running Back: Gordon signed with Denver after his hold-out last season didn’t go the way he wanted it to. The Chargers’ Austin Eckler had a nice year and made Gordon expendable. He will look to start fresh after signing a two-year, $16 million deal with Denver this offseason.

Detroit Lions

Beau Benzschawel – Offensive Guard: signed as an undrafted rookie following the 2019 draft. He will be fighting for an offensive line spot on the Lions’ roster this summer.

Quintez Cephus – Wide Reciever: the Badgers big-play receiver was drafted in the fifth round by the Lions and will be looking to get some playing time this year behind the Lions’ pair of great receivers in Kenny Galloday and Marvin Jones.

Olive Sagapolu – Defensive Tackle: signed with the Lions practice squad last season after he was cut by the Packers in their training camp. He will be fighting for a roster spot but will likely be an uphill battle.

Green Bay Packers

Rick Wagner – Offensive Tackle: signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Packers as a free agent after being released by Detroit. He will be fighting for the starting right tackle spot.

Houston Texans

J.J. Watt – Defensive End: Watt will be entering his 10th season in the NFL and he is still a force. He has been a Pro Bowler and a First-Team All-Pro five times in his career.

Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Taylor – Running Back: drafted in the second round of this year’s draft. He will be sharing the backfield with Marlon Mack, but one of the most prolific rushers in Badgers history will definitely see some time in Indy’s backfield.