Badger of Honor
Fansided

Former Wisconsin Badgers still in NFL Playoffs

By Joey Lovell

HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 18: Darius Harris #47 and Melvin Gordon III #34 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrate during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 18: Darius Harris #47 and Melvin Gordon III #34 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrate during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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As the divisional round of the NFL playoff gets underway , let’s take a look at the Wisconsin Badgers that are still playing and what their current team role is.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Kansas City Chiefs

Cole Van Lanen- Jacksonville (RG/OT)

Kendrick Pryor- Jacksonville (WR)

Melvin Gordon- Kansas City (RB)

Leo Chenal- Kansas City (LB)

Van Lanen, in his second year out of Wisconsin, is listed on the Jacksonville Jaguar depth chart as the second-string right guard. Cole’s versatile skill set enables him to play both offensive line positions, significantly increasing his utility to the Jags.  While Pryor has not seen the field, he has at least been on the active squad in his rookie year

Gordon started the season with the Denver Broncos but was released by them on November 28th. While his professional career hasn’t matched his college career, running backs with that kind of talent don’t stay unsigned for long and Kansas City immediately signed him to their practice squad. To date, he has not had a carry.

Leo Chenal, in his rookie season, is one of the three starting linebackers for the Chiefs in his first playoff game. Starting almost half of the season, Chenal has had a decent rookie year, with 35 combined tackles with one sack.

New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles 7:15  P.M. (CST) Saturday

T.J. Edwards- Philadelphia (LB)

While the New York Giants don’t have any Wisconsin grads on their roster, Wisconsin alumnus T.J. Edwards is one of Philadelphia’s undisputed defensive leaders. A starter the last 3 seasons in his 4-year career, T.J. leads the Eagles in combined tackles with 159 and solo stops with 99, chipping in 2 sacks for good measure.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Buffalo Bills  2:00 P.M. (CST) Sunday

Tomorrow’s playoff game between these two squads has no Wisconsin alumna on either roster.

Dallas Cowboys @ San Francisco 49’ers 5:30 P.M. (CST) Sunday

Tyler Biadasz- Dallas (C)

Jake Ferguson- Dallas (TE)

Tyler Biadasz, in his 3rd season out of Wisconsin, is Dallas’s starting center. He had a very promising rookie season, in which he started weeks 5-8, slightly derailed by an injury. He missed 4 games but did not return to the starting lineup for the rest of the season. He came back in the second season and hasn’t missed a start at center.

Ferguson is in his rookie campaign for the Cowboys. Starting 9 games this year, Tyler has hauled in 19 receptions for 174 yards and 2 TDs. Dallas uses a rotation of 3 tight ends and Ferguson has been the second choice after Dalton Shultz.

While we’re forced to wait until next fall for the unveiling of the latest chapter in Wisconsin football, we still can see some former Badgers in action.