Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, there are multiple Wisconsin Badgers hoping to have their name called. Almost all of them will fall into the 4-7 round range. In the latest mock draft they all went in the fifth round or later. This may not be entirely bad news if last year's Badgers in the draft are an indication. The Wisconsin Badgers had two selections in the fourth round of last year's draft, and that would be their only two picks in 2024. There were a few undrafted free agents (UDFA) that found their way onto rosters, but only Tanor Bortolini and Braelon Allen were drafted.
Tanor Bortolini and Braelon Allen were both very productive in their rookie seasons
Draft picks that fall after the second round are often rarely expected to be stars or even starters. Often, those picks are hit or miss, and many NFL teams would love to simply acquire quality depth from those draft picks. Both Bortolini and Allen outperformed their NFL draft pick.
Tanor Bortolini was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 4th round
Bortolini was drafted to be depth at the center position for the Colts; however, in week four against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was thrust into a starting position after an injury ahead of him on the depth chart. Bortolini then went on to play 12 games in his rookie season providing solid run blocking and pass protection. Graded a 65.1 by PFF, which puts him as the 22nd best center in the league and one of the best in terms of backups.
Braelon Allen was selected by the New York Jets in the 4th round
Similar to Bortolini, Allen was selected to be a depth chart running back for his rookie season. He wasn't expected to get much run but also similar to Bortolini he found himself thrust up the depth chart due to other circumstances. He ended up playing in 17 total games and starting two of them. Finishing the year with 92 carries for 334 yards and two touchdowns. However, where he made his stamp was actually as a pass-catching running back catching 19 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown. That's a 7.8 average out of the backfield.
As rookies, both were thrust into starting roles and important depth pieces, and both performed better than expected for fourth-round picks. Therefore, NFL general managers can enter the 2025 draft with confidence in selecting Badgers.