The NFL Draft has come and gone, and zero Wisconsin Badgers were taken, which is a particular shame for the program. However, the Badgers did have 11 players signed as UDFAs as soon as the final draft pick was selected. There's also Jayden Ballard and Nathaniel Vakos, who were invited to NFL Rookie Minicamps. So there are plenty of opportunities for Badgers to prove the NFL wrong in 2026.
Here's the most likely candidates to make an NFL roster for Week 1 of the regular season.
Mason Reiger - Miami Dolphins
The list has to start with Reiger, as he was the most draftable of all the draftable Wisconsin players. He could easily have been selected as a 4th-round pick because of his motor and drive. Yet his injury history may have scared teams away, letting him slide into the UDFA window.
The Dolphins came into the NFL Draft with a need for an edge rusher and went aggressive after linebackers, and even finished the draft with edge rusher Max Llewellyn from Iowa. So Reiger is up against competition. Little do these other edge rushers know that's where Reiger thrives. I predict he will be on the Miami roster come week 1 and not the practice squad.
Vinny Anthony II - Atlanta Falcons
Anthony has a big mountain to climb to become a starting wide receiver in the NFL. His testing causes him to slip from being a late-round pick to a UDFA. However, there's one thing that will set him apart for the Falcons: his versatility. He can be an immediate game-changer in the special teams unit. In fact, that's where he will end up playing in week 1 for the Falcons.
Lance Mason - Seattle Seahawks
This list is pretty chalk, but that's just the way it works, and there's a reason these three were the most draftable players. Mason, though, inherits a great situation as a UDFA with the Seattle Seahawks. While the depth chart isn't exactly clear for him, the Seahawks have been known to carry extra tight ends. They also love tight ends with versatility: willing and excellent run blockers as well as passing catching ability.
The Seahawks also love using extra tight ends on special teams. There's a spot for Mason if he proves it.
Nyzier Fourqurean - Los Angeles Rams
Let's have at least one flier here, and it's a big one. Fourqurean for the Rams could be a crazy story. He didn't even play football last season as he was in a legal dispute with the NCAA about his eligibility. Yet, he's been working all season to make an NFL roster. He's a dawg and will find his way into a battle for those final roster spots. Don't be surprised if Sean McVay loves Fourqurean's work ethic and potential, and takes a flier on him.
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